V 

LIBRARY 

OF   THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

BIOLOGY 

Class           "BRARt 

» 

D.  Mcintosh. 


DISEASES  OF  SlfliE. 


WRITTEN  AS  A  TEXT  BOOK 


FOR  THE 


Veterinary  Surgeon,  Student  and 
Swine  Grower. 


2M  io 


BY 

D.   MCINTOSH,  V.  S., 

Professor  of  Veterinary  Science  in  the  University  of  Illinois. 
Author  of  "Diseases  of  Horses  and  Cattle." 


<^^ 


*^;.^ 


Copyrighted  by  D.  McIntosh, 

1897 


DONOHUE  &  HENNEBERRY. 

printeks  and  bindek8, 

Chicago, 


PRKFACE. 


DISEASES  of  the  pig"  have  not  been  hitherto  adequately 
represented  in  veterinary  literature  as  they  should  have 
been,  especially  in  this  country  w^here  the  growing  of  pigs  is 
one  of  the  principal  industries,  represented  by  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  dollars.  I  have  been  surprised  that  some  of  my 
professional  brethren  have  not  taken  up  this  vv^ork,  but  I  sup- 
pose that  lack  of  time  and  opportunity  prevented  them  from 
so  doing.  Some  ten  years  ago  I  was  urged  by  some  of  my 
friends  to  undertake  such  work,  but  having  so  little  literature 
on  the  subject  to  cull  from,  I  hesitated  to  do  so,  but  since  com- 
ing to  Illinois  T  have  had  ample  opportunity  of  investigating 
all  the  diseases  of  swine. 

The  subjects  dealt  with  are  based  on  science  and  confirmed 
by  experience,  so  that  the  reader  will  not  lose  time  in  reading 
theories  which  are  not  confirmed  by  facts.  There  are  a  few 
diseases  of  swine,  such  as  thumps,  partial  paralysis  of  the  hind 
quarters  and  canker  of  the  mouth,  which  will  in  the  majority 
of  cases  prove  fatal.  These  diseases  have  been  thoroughly  in- 
vestigated and  the  proper  remedies  discovered,  and  if  adminis- 
tered as  set  forth  in  this  treatise  the  majority  of  the  affected 
pigs  will  recover.  I  have,  with  the  assistance  of  Doctor  Burrill, 
Professor  of  Bacteriology  in  the  University  of  Illinois,  investi- 
gated extensively  "hog  cholera,"  and  have  made  considerable 
headway  in  treating  the  disease  successfully.  These  results 
and  treatment  will  be  found  in  this  volume.  It  also  contains 
as  an  introduction  an  article  on  the  health  of  the  pig  which 
will  be  of  great  service  to  the  swine  breeder.  The  book  con- 
tains a  number  of  illustrations  which  will  be  helpful  to  the 
reader.  My  hope  is  that  this  manual  will  fill  a  long  felt  want 
to  the  veterinary  surgeon  and  swine  grower. 


117470 


INDEX 


Acne 

Amaurosis 

Anemia 

Angina,  gangrenous. 

Aui,  prolapsus , 

Anthrax,  neclc 

Apoplexy 

Appetite,  morbid 

Aphtha,  sporadic   ... 

Aphthous  fever 

Arteries,  diseases  of. 
Asearis  Suilla 


PAGE. 

....  152 

158 

132 

....  141 

63 

139 

130 

43 

27 

...  137 

129 

84 

Atrophy 126 

Atrophy  of  the  Kidney 196 

Atrophy  of  the  Liver 72 

Black  Teeth 31 

Bladder,  inflammation  of 198 

Bleeding  Fungus 207 

Blood  with  the  Urine 192 

Bowels,  inflammation  of 47 

Bowels,  obstructions  of 59 

Bowels,  twisting  of 60 

Brain,  inflammation  of 176 

Brain,    inflammation    of    the 

membrane  of 176 

Bronchitis 102 

Bruises 206 

Calculi,  urinary 202 

Canina,  rabies 185 

Cankerof  the  Nose  and  Face. .  144 

Catarrh,  malignant. 97 

Chorea 179 

Chronic  Hepatitis 70 

Chronic  Inflammation  of  Nos- 
trils    96 

Chronic  Cough 120 

Chronic  Laryngitis 101 

Chronic  Rheumatism 173 

Colic 56 

Congestion  of  the  Lungs 106 

Conjunctivitis 1.57 

Constipation            57 

Coryza 94 

Cough,  nervous 102 

Cysts-Hyatids 73 

Cystitis 198 

Diarrhea ,   53 

Difiicult  Parturition 208 

Diseases  of  Arteries  and  Veins.  129 

Diseases  of  Eyeball In7 

Diseases  c  f  Generative  Organs  208 

Diseasts  of  Hekrt 123 

Diseases  of  Intestines... 47 

Diseases  of  Liver  of  the  Pig. ...  69 
Diseases  of  Nervous  System. . ,  170 
Diseases  of  Organs  of  Mastica- 
tion    26 

Diseaa^sofReiipiratorji'Orgaus  94 


PAGB. 

Diseases  of  Stomach  of  the  Pig  34 

Diseases  of  Urinary  Organs.. . .  189 

Dysentery 49 

Emphysema 117 

Enteritis 47 

Enuresis 201 

Erysipelas 166 

Erysipelas,  gangrenous 140 

Eustrongyhis  Gigas 89 

Eyeball,  diseases  of 157 

Face,  canker  of 144 

Fatty  Liver 72 

Feet,  sore 155 

Fever,  scarlet 160 

Flesh,  proud 205 

Functional   Diseases    of    the 

Heart 127 

Fungous  Growths 207 

Fungus,  bleeding 207 

Gangrenous  Angina 141 

Gangrenous  Erysipelas 140 

Gangrenous    Inflammation    of 

the  Mouth 30 

Gastritis 36 

General  Observations 78 

Generative  Organs,  diseases  of  208 

Gravel 202 

Growths,  fungous 207 

Heart,  diseases  of 123 

Heart,  hypertrophy  of 126 

Hematuria 192 

Hematuria,  idiopathic 193 

Hematemesis 44 

Hemorrhoids 62 

Hemoptyses 121 

Hepatitis 69 

Hepatitis,  chronic 70 

Hernia,  scrotal 76 

Hernia,  umbilical 75 

Hog  Cholera 221 

Hydrophobia 185 

Hvpertrophy  of  Liver 71 

Hypertrophy  of  Heart 126 

Hypertrophy  of  Kidney 196 

Hydrocele 219 

Idiopathic  Hematuria 193 

Idiopathic  Tetanus 181 

Incontinence  of  Urine 201 

Induration 72 

Inflammation  of  the  Brain 176 

Inflammation  of  Membrane  of 

the  Brain 176 

Inflammation  of  Bowels 47 

Inflammation  of  Bladder 198 

Inflammation  of  Kidney 190 

Inflammation  of  Mouth .....  —  80 

Inflammation  of  Nostrilg 04 

Infiammatiou  of  TeBticleBM   -..  S18 


PAGE. 

Inflammation  of  Tongue 29 

Inflammation  of  Udder 212 

Inflections  of  the  Blood,  puru- 
lent   134 

Injuries 206 

Internal  Parasites 78 

Intestines,  diseases  of 47 

Ischuria 195 

Jaundice 73 

Kidney,  atrophy  of 196 

Kidney,  hypertrophy  of 196 

Kidney,  inflammation  of 190 

Kidney,  rupture  of 197 

Kidney  Worm 89 

Lacerated  Wounds 204 

Laryngitis 99 

Laryngitis,  chronic 101 

Lice 147 

Lichen  149 

Liver  of  the  pig 68 

Liver,  diseases  of 69 

Liver,  fatty 72 

Liver,  waxy     72 

Lungs,  congestion  of 106 

Malignant  Catarrh 97 

Mammitis 216 

Mange 145 

Mastication,    organs    of,     dis- 
eases of 26 

Measles 163 

Meat  Brine 38 

Morbid  Appetite 43 

Mastication,  organs  of 21 

Mouth,  gangrenous  inflamma- 
tion of 30 

Neck  Anthrax 139 

Nephritis 190 

Nervous  Cough  102 

Nervous  Diseases  of  the  Heart.  127 

Nose,  canker  of 144 

Observations,  general 78 

Obstriictions  of  the  Bowels 59 

Ophthalmia 157 

Optic  Nerve,  paralysis  of 158 

Orchitis 218 

Organs  of  Mastication 21 

Organs  of    Mastication,    dis- 
eases of 26 

Oxurus  Vernicularis 82 

Palpitation 127 

Paralysis 181 

Paralysis,  partial 183 

Parasites,  internal 78 

Parturition,  difficult 308 

Pemphigus 151 

Pericarditis 123 

Peritonitis   64 

Pharyngitis 99 

Phrenitis 176 

»  lies 62 

Plethora 131 

Pleurisy 114 

Pneumonia 109 

Prolapsus  Ani 63 

Proud  Flesh 205 

Punctu  •  ed  Wounds 206 

Purulent    Inflections    of    the 

Blood 134 

Quinsy 98 

Rabies 185 

Rectum,  stricture  of  the.  ttl 

Respiratory  Organs,  diseases  of  9i 


Retention,  vesical 

Rheumatism 

Rheumatism,  chronic 

Ring  Worm 

Round  Worm 

Rupture 

Rupture  of  Kidney 

Rupia 

Scaly  Diseases  of  the  Skin 

Scarlet  Fever 

Sclerostonum  Dentatum    Dies- 

ing 

Scrotal  Hernia        

Scrotum,  water  in  the 

Serous  Cysts-Hyatids 

Simple  Ulcers  of  the  Stomach. . 

Skin,  diseases  of 

Sore  Feet 

Sore  Teats 

Sore  Throat 

Spiroptera  Strongylina  Rud 

Sporadic  Aphtha 

Sprains 

Sterility 

Stomach  of  the  Pig 

Stomach  of  the  Pig,  diseases  of 

Stricture  of  Rectum 

Strongylus  Dentatum  Rud 

Strongylus  Elognattis 

Suppression  of  Urine 

Swine  Plague 

Tape  worm        

Teats,  sore 

Teeth,  black 

Tetanus 

Tetanus,  idiopathic 

Testicles,  inflammation  of 

Thorn  Headed  Worm 

Thread  Worm 

Throat,  sore 

Thumps 

Tongue,  inflammation  of 

Trecocephalus  Dispar 

Trichina  Spiralis 

Twisting  of  the  Bowels 

Ulcers 

Ulcers  of  the  Stomach,  simple. . 

Umbilical  Hernia 

Unhealthy  Wounds 

Urine,  blood  with 

Urine,  incontinence  of 

Urine,  suppression  of 

Urinary  Calculi 

Urinary  Organs,  diseases  of 

Urticaria 

Uterus,  inversion  of 

Veins,  diseases  of        

Vesical  Retention 

Vomiting 

Warts 

Water  in  the  Scrotum 

Waxy  Liver 

Worm,  kidney 

Worm,  long  thread 

Worm,  pin   

Worm,  ring 

Worm,  round 

Worm,  thorn  headed 

Wounds,  lacerated 

Wounds,  punctured 

Wounds,  unhealthy 


FAQB 

200 
170 
173 
154 
84 
75 
197 
152 
153 
160 

86 

76 

219 

73 

40 

143 

155 

217 


27 
174 

219 


Gl 

87 

88 

195 

221 

77 

217 

31 

181 

181 

218 

80 

83 

99 

127 


90 

60 

207 

40 


192 

201 

195 

202 

189 

148 

215 

129 

200 

42 

148 

219 

72 

89 

83 

82 

154 

S4 

8' 

201 

206 

205 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE. 


CHAPTER  1. 
The  Organs  of  Mastication. 


CHAPTER  2. 
Diseases  of  the  Organs  of  Mastication. 
Sporadic  Aphtha,  Inflammation  of  the  Tongue,  Gangrenous  Inflamma- 
tion of  *he  Mouth,  Black  Teeth. 


CHAPTER  3. 
Stomach  of  the  Pig. 


CHAPTER  4. 

r^SEASES   OF  THE  STOMACH  OF  THE  PlO. 

Gastritis,  Meat  Brine,  Simple  Ulcers  of  the  Stomach,  Vomiting,  Morbid 
Appetite,  Hematemesis. 


CHAPTER  5. 
Diseases  of  the  Intestines. 
Enteritis,  Inflammation  of  the  Bowels,  Dysentery,  Diarrhea,  Colic,  Con- 
stipation, Obstructions  of  the  Bowels,  Twisting  of  the  Bowels,  Stricture  of 
the  Rectum,  Hemorrhoids  or  Piles,  Prolapsus  Ani,  Peritonitis. 


CHAPTER  6. 
Diseases  op  the  Liver  of  the  Pig. 
Hepatitis,  Chronic  Hepatitis,  Hypertrophy,  Atrophy,  Induration,  Fatty- 
Liver,  Waxy  Liver,  Serous  Cysts-Hyatids,  Jaundice. 

CHAPTER  7. 
Hernia,  Rupture. 
Umbilical  Hernia,  Scrotal  Hernia. 


CHAPTER  8. 
Internal  Parasites  of  the  Pig. 
General  Observations— Oxyrus  Vernicularis  (Pin  Worm),  Thorn  Headed 
Worm,  Trecocephalus  Dispar  (Long  Thread  Worm),  Ascaris  Suilla  (Round 
Worm)  Spiroptera  Strongylina  Rud,  Strongylus  Dentatum  (Rud),  Scleros- 
tonum  Dentatum  Diesing,  Strongylus  Elognatus,  Kidney  Worm  Eustron- 
gylus  Gigas,  Trichina  Spiralis. 

CHAPTER  9. 
Diseases  of  the  Respiratory  Organs. 
Inflammation  of  the  Nostrils  or  Coryza,  Chronic  Inflammation  of  the  Nos- 
trils or  Ozena,  Malignant  Catarrh,   Quinsy,   Laryngitis,  Pharyngitis  (Sore 
Throat),  Chronie  Laryngitis,  Nervous  Cough,  Bronchitis,  Congestion  of  the 
Lungs,  Pneumonia,  Pleurisy,  Emphysema,  Chronic  Cough,  Hemoptysis. 


CHAPTER  10. 
Diseases  op  the  Heart. 
Pericarditis,  Hypertrophy,  Atrophy,  Functional  or  Nervous  Diseases  of 
the  Heart,  Palpitation  or  Thumps. 


CHAPTER  11. 
D18BA8E8  OF  THE  Arteries  and  Veins. 


CHAPTER  12. 
Apoplexy,  Plethora,  Anemia. 


CHAPTER  13. 
Purulent  Inplections  op  the  Blood. 


CHAPTER  14. 
Anthrax  op  the  Pig. 
Neck  Anthrax,  Gangrenous  Erysipelas,  Gangrenous  Angina. 

CHAPTER  15. 
•  Diseases  op  the  Skin. 

Canker  of  the  Nose  and  Face,  Mange,  Urticaria,  Lichen,  Prurigo,  Pem- 
phigus, Rupia,  Acne,  Scaly  Diseases  of  the  Skin,  Ring  Worm,  Lice,  Warta, 
Sore  Feet. 


CHAPTER  16. 
Diseases  op  the  Eyeball. 
Conjunctivitis  or  Simple  Ophthalmia,  Amaurosis  or  Paralysis  of  the 
Optic  Nerve. 


Scarlet  Fever,  Measles. 


CHAPTER  17. 

Fevers. 


CHAPTER  18. 
Erysipelas. 


CHAPTER  19. 
Rheumatism. 
Chronic  Rheumatism,  Sprains. 


CHAPTER  20. 
Diseases  op  the  Nervous  System. 
Phrenitis  (Inflammation  of  the  Brain),  Meningitis  (Inflammation  of  the 
Membrane  of  the  Brain),  Chorea,  Tetanus,  Idiopathic  Tetanus,  Paralysis, 
Partial  Paralysis,  Hydrophobia,  Rabies,  Rabies  Canina. 


CHAPTER  21. 
Diseases  op  the  Urinary  Organs. 
Nephritis  (Inflammation  of  the  Kidneys),  Hematuria  (Blood  with  the 
Urine),  Idiopathic  Hematuria,  Ischuria  (Suppression  of  Urine),  Atrophy  of 
the  Kidneys,  Hypertrophy  of  the  Kidneys,  Rupture  of  the  Kidney,  Cystitis 
(Inflammation  of  the  Bladder),  Vesical  Retention,  Incontinence  of  Urine 
(Enuresis),  Urinary  Calculi  (Gravel). 


CHAPTER  22. 
Wounds. 
Unhealthy  Wounds,  Proud  Flesh,  Punctured  Wounds,  Injuries,  Lace- 
rated Wounds,  Bruises,  Ulcers  and  Fungous  Growths,  Bleeding  Fungus. 


CHAPTER  23. 
Diseases  op  the  Generative  Organs. 
DiflQcult  Parturition,  Inversion  of  the  Uterus,  Mammitis  (Inflammation 
of  the  Udder),  Sore  T«nits,  Orchitis  Inflammation  of  the  Testicles,  Hydrocele 
(Water  in  the  Scrotum),  Sterility. 

CHAPTER  24. 
Hog  Cholera  and  Swine  Plaque. 


INTRODUCTION. 


HEALTH  OF  THE  PIG. 

Edmund  Park  says:  "If  we  had  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  the  laws  of  life  and  could  apply  this 
knowledge  in  a  perfect  system  of  hygienic  rules, 
disease  would  be  impossible.  Hygiene  is  the  art 
of  preserving  health.  It  aims  at  rendering  growth 
more  perfect,  decay  less  rapid,  life  more  vigorous, 
death  more  remote."  So  beautiful  and  compre- 
hensive is  this  definition  that  it  ought  to  be  often 
repeated. 

In  dealing  with  this  subject  of  health  there  are 
several  things  to  be  taken  into  consideration ;  this 
I  will  do  as  briefly  as  possible.  First,  we  should 
follow  nature's  steps  as  closely  as  practicable,  and 
should  consider  the  condition  of  the  pig  in  its  nat- 
ural haunts,  and  deprive  it  of  as  few  of  them  as 
possible.  The  pig  is  an  omnivorous  animal  and 
eats  all.  It  is  destined  by  nature  to  uproot  plants 
and  grope  for  food  among  the  dropped  acorns  and 
other  fruits  of  the  forest,  and  Youatt  says:  "In 
point  of  fact  the  snout  of  the  pig  is  its  spade  with 
w  hich  it  roots  in  the  ground  for  roots  and  earth 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

worms."  By  putting  an  iron  ring  through  the 
cartilage  of  its  nose  we  thus  deprive  it  of  the  power 
of  searching  for  and  analyzing  its  food,  and  by  do- 
ing so  we  prevent  it  from  getting  substances  which 
would  be  very  beneficial  for  the  maintenance  of  its 
health.  To  be  profitable  it  is  necessary  to  feed 
pigs  more  food  than  they  could  obtain  in  a  natural 
state,  in  order  to  bring  them  to  maturity  as  fast  as 
possible,  and  this  is  done  at  the  expense  of  the  an- 
imal's health.  Seeing  that  this  has  to  be  done,  we 
ought  to  consider  what  kind  of  food  is  best  to  ob- 
tain this  result  and  at  the  same  time  keep  the  ani- 
mal in  a  vigorous  condition.  Yeo  says  that  if  an 
animal  is  in  perfect  health  the  pure  alkaline  blood 
circulating  through  the  tissues  of  the  body  pre- 
vents the  germs  of  disease  from  finding  a  suit- 
able place  to  develop.  Let  us  look  for  a  short  time 
at  the  physiological  actions  of  some  of  the  most 
important  organs  of  the  animal  body,  as  we  will 
then  be  better  able  to  understand  some  of  the 
causes  of  ill  health.  The  stomach  of  the  pig  in  its 
natural  state  is  small  and  the  intestines  have  great 
assimilating  power.  In  this  capacity  the  pig  is 
ahead  of  all  other  animals,  which  accounts  for  its 
taking  on  fat  so  rapidly.  By  giving  large  quanti- 
ties of  food  the  stomach  becomes  distended,  and 
in  some  cases,  weakened  so  that  it  cannot  digest 
the  food  properly  and  it  passes  out  of  the  stomach 
in  this  condition  into  the  intestines,  where  it  acts 
as  a  foreign  body,  setting  up  disturbance,  derang- 
ing the  mucous  membrane, leaving  it  in  a  condition 
favorable  for  the  development  of  microbes    and 


other  germs  of  disease,  the  indigested  portion  will 
pass  out  as  feces.  The  pig  should  be  fed  as  much 
during  the  fattening  period  as  it  can  digest  and 
nothing  more.  This  can  be  easily  ascertained  by 
examining  the  feces.  The  kidneys  secrete  the 
urine  and  other  effete  material,  the  result  of  the 
disintegration  of  the  nitrogenous  substances  in 
the  body;  they  require  to  be  in  a  healthy,  active 
state  to  perform  this  function,  or  blood  poisoning 
is  the  result;  if  not  blood  poisoning,  sufficient  dis- 
turbance is  caused  to  leave  the  animal  liable  to 
disease.  The  heart  should  be  strong  and  vigorous 
in  order  to  be  able  to  propel  the  blood  to  all  the 
tissues  of  the  body  to  nourish  them.  The  lungs 
should  be  strong,  with  large  capacity  to  draw  in 
oxygen  and  give  off  carbonic  dioxide  and  other  ef- 
fete materials,  in  this  way  keeping  the  blood  pure. 
The  nerves  which  govern  all  parts  of  the  body 
should  be  strong  and  active.  This  is  largely  ac- 
complished by  the  kind  of  food  we  feed  the  animal. 
What  is  the  animal  body  composed  of?  The 
chemical  constituents  of  the  animal  body  may  be 
thus  classified:  First,  albuminous  substances, 
characterized  by  the  presence  of  nitrogen,  carbon, 
hydrogen  and  oxygen.  Second,  carbo-hydrates 
and  hydro-carbons,  characterized  by  the  absence 
of  nitrogen  and  the  presence  of  carbon,  hydrogen 
and  oxygen.  Third,  salts  and  water.  In  order  to 
keep  all  the  tissues  of  the  body  in  healthy  action 
and  vigor,  it  is  necessary  to  see  that  the  animal 
gets  a  food  which  contains  all  these  elements  or 
to  give  a  mixed  diet  which  will  combine  to  furnish 


Red 

Oats. 

Peas. 

Clover. 

13.5 

13.8 

16.7 

11.9 

22.4 

13.4 

5.8 

2.5 

3.2 

57.5 

52.3 

29.9 

8.1 

9.2 

35.8 

2.6 

2.5 

6.2 

14  INTRODUCTION, 

the  materials  necessary.  Food  should  be  com- 
posed of  nitrogenous  portions  called  albuminates 
or  flesh  makers;  hydro-carbons,  or  fat  makers; 
carbo-hydrates,  which  are  starch  and  sugar  bodies, 
also  fat  producers.  These  are  all  necessary  for 
the  healthy  development  of  the  animal  tissues. 
Let  us  see  which  of  the  various  grains  contain  the 
substances  mentioned: 

Corn. 

Water  13.9 

Albumen  10.1 

Fats  4.8 

Carbo-hydrates  non-nitrogenous 

extractive  matters 66.8 

Cellulose  2.8 

Ash  1.7 

These  figures  vary  considerably,  according  to 
the  ground  on  which  the  grains  grow,  whether  it  is 
rich  or  poor,  cultivation,  etc.  The  above  table 
shows  that  oats  and  peas  are  more  evenly  balanced 
than  corn.  They  are,  therefore,  the  grains  best 
suited  for  the  growth  and  development  of  the  tis- 
sues of  the  body,  and  also  to  keep  them  in  a  healthy 
state.  When  food  substances  are  deficient  in  the 
albuminates  and  salts,  the  system  is  generally  low- 
ered in  tone,  and  there  is  a  tendency  to  the  forma- 
tion of  "exudations,"  composed  of  imperfectly  de- 
veloped cells,  which,  in  the  great  majority  of  cases, 
from  the  very  beginning,  are  incapable  of  develop- 
ment into  perfect  entities,  having  only  one  poten- 
tial quality,  that  of  dying,  and  in  so  doing  cause 
various  derangements  in  the  body,  especially  in 
the  respiratory  organs,  producing  tuberculosis  and 
affections  of  the  crlands  of  the  intestines.      Oats 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

also  contain  a  nitrogenous  alkaloid,  called  avenin, 
which  possesses  the  property  of  acting  as  a  nerve 
stimulant  It  is  on  this  account  that  horses  large- 
ly fed  on  oats  are  so  spirited.  The  salts  or  ash 
that  these  substances  contain  are  all  needed  in 
the  animal  body  in  order  that  they  will  grow,  and 
also  support  the  system  in  older  animals.  Oats  is 
the  grain  par  excellence  for  the  horse,  and  peas  for 
the  pig.  Corn,  alone,  has  not  sufficient  albumin- 
ates and  salts  and  has  too  much  starchy  substance, 
which  is  converted  into  fat,  and  is  therefore  a 
grain  which  is  not  fit  food  for  a  young  growing  ani- 
mal. It  is  necessary  to  feed  other  materials  which 
contain  albuminates  to  supply  the  deficiency  of  this 
material  in  the  corn.  And  I  am  satisfied  that  the 
prevalence  of  cholera  among  pigs  in  the  corn  grow- 
ing States  is  in  a  great  part  due  to  the  feeding  of 
too  much  corn.  In  Canada,  where  the  pig  is 
mostly  fed  on  peas  and  oats  and  the  refuse  of 
wheat  and  rye,  cholera  is  unknown.  It  is  true 
there  have  been  a  few  cases  of  cholera  in  Canada, 
but  it  has  been  mostly  on  the  borders  where  it  was 
supposed  to  have  been  brought  over  the  river,  and 
some  years  ago  at  Montreal,  supposed  to  have 
been  caused  by  feeding  on  distillery  slops.  Messrs. 
Lawes  and  Gilbert  made  a  number  of  experiments 
on  feeding  in  England  and  found  that  pigs  fed  ex- 
clusively on  corn  would  frequently  swell  in  the 
neck.  They  did  not  wish  to  discontinue  the  exper- 
iment, and  therefore  resolved  to  try  the  effect  of 
putting  some  mineral  substance  in  a  trough 
within  the  reach  of  the  pigs.     They  made  a  mix- 


16  INTRODUCTIOlSf. 

ture  of  twenty  pounds  of  sifted  coal  ashes,  four 
pounds  of  common  salt  and  one  pound  of  super- 
phosphate of  lime.  A  trough  containing  this  min- 
eral mixture  was  put  into  the  pen  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  second  fortnight,  and  the  pigs 
began  to  lick  it  with  evident  relish.  From  this 
time  the  swellings  or  tumors,  as  well  as  the  diffi- 
culty in  breathing,  began  to  diminish  rapidly,  and 
at  the  end  of  a  month  had  entirely  disappeared. 
The  three  pigs  consumed  of  the  mineral  mixture 
described  above  nine  pounds  during  the  first  fort- 
night, six  pounds  during  the  second,  and  nine 
pounds  during  the  third.  This,  although  only  a 
single  experiment,  shows,  I  think,  that  pigs  may 
be  fed  on  corn  with  impunity,  providing  that  a 
compound  of  this  or  some  other  may  be  put  within 
reach  of  the  pigs.  I  would  suggest  the  following: 
First,  that  we  should  avoid  in-breeding  as  much 
as  possible,  as  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  lessens  the 
vitality  of  the  offspring,  leaving  them  in  a  condi- 
tion liable  to  disease. 

Second,  that  we  select  large  sows,  well  devel- 
oped and  at  least  one  year  old.  Third,  that  the 
boar  should  be  of  a  smaller  breed,  compact,  and  of 
a  vigorous  constitution.  This  combination  will 
insure  strong,  healthy  offspring.  Fourth,  that  the 
sow  and  boar  should  be  fed  on  ground  oats  and 
bran  mixed  sufficient  to  keep  them  growing,  but 
not  too  fat,  as  when  they  are  too  fat  their  vitality 
is  lessened.  They  should  have  a  small  field  to  run 
in,  separate,  at  some  distance  from  each  other. 
They  should  not   have   rings  in  their  noses,  but 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

should  be  allowed  to  dig  at  pleasure,  as  they  will 
find  material  in  the  ground  useful  for  their  health. 
If  they  should  show  signs  of  getting  too  fat,  cut 
down  their  feed;  on  the  other  hand,  if  they  are  los- 
ing flesh,  feed  a  little  more.     They  should  have  a 
shelter  from  the  sun  in  summer  and  a  comfortable 
place  to  sleep  in  at  night  in  the  winter.       They 
should  have  green  clover  in  summer  and  dry  clover 
hay  in  winter.     Give  them  plenty  of  fresh  water 
and  a  little  salt  mixed  with  their  food.     Pigs  treat- 
ed  in   this  way  will    seldom    have    any  ailment. 
Fifth,  that  having  strong,  healthy,  young  pigs  to 
begin  with  it  is  necessary  to  feed  them  on  mate- 
rials that  will  keep  up  vigor  and  at  the  same  time 
produce  rapid  growth.     This  can  be  accomplished 
by  feeding  them  on  ground  oats  or  peas  mixed 
with  bran,  and  turning  into  a  clover  field  if  possi- 
ble; if  not,  clover  should  be  cut  and  brought  to 
them.     Milk  of  all  kinds  is  useful.     They  should 
have  a  field  to  roam  in,  and   after   they  are  old 
enough  the  boars  should  be  separated  from  the 
sows.     The  above  food  contains  all  the  elements 
necessary  for  the  growth  and  development  of  the 
pig.     The  bran,  shell  of  the  oats  and  the  clover 
contain  a  large  percentage  of  cellulose,  and  al- 
though the  pig  cannot  digest  more  than  half  of 
this  material,  yet  it  is  v^ery  useful,  as  it  contains 
just  what  is  needed  to  assist  in  forming  the  tissues 
of  the  body.     Pigs  fed  as  above  will  have  all  parts 
of  their  body  well  nourished  and  in  a  state  of  vigor 
to  perform  all  the  functions  required  of  them  to 
fortify  the  body  against  at  least  ordinary  diseases. 


jg  INTRODUCTION. 

Sixth,  that  too  many  pigs  should  not  be  kept  to- 
gether, as  they  are  apt  to  sleep  in  the  same  place, 
and  although  it  may  be  well  ventilated,  or  even 
out  in  the  open  air,  they  are  apt  to  breathe  some  of 
the  foul  air  emanating  from  their  bodies.  No 
class  of  animals  thrive  well  where  numbers  are 
kei)t  together.  When  the  time  arrives  to  feed  the 
hogs  for  market  you  will  have  a  splendid  founda- 
tion to  begin  feeding  on;  strong  digestive  and  as 
similating  organs,  w^hich  will  be  able  to  digest  and 
assimilate  large  quantities  of  food.  Corn  can  now 
be  used  with  a  little  ground  oats  and  bran  with 
advantage  and  profit.  I  think  that  if  this  method 
were  carrie<l  out,  in  a  few  years  hog  cholera  would 
be  a  thing  of  the  past. 

There  has  not  been  the  same  attention  paid  to 
the  treatment  of  the  pig  as  there  has  been  to  that 
of  the  other  domestic  aimals.  The  difficulty  in 
administering  medicine  to  the  pig  and  attending 
to  the  nursing  of  it  is  one  of  the  drawbacks.  Med- 
icine has  been  usually  given  in  the  food,  and  when 
the  animal  is  in  condition  to  eat  and  can  be  sep- 
arated from  the  others  this  method  is  very  con- 
venient; but  putting  medicine  inafood  where  there 
are  a  number  of  hogs  feeding  together,  cannot  be 
done  satisfactorily.  In  cases  where  it  is  necessary 
to  give  medicine  by  the  mouth,  the  patient  strug- 
gles so  much  that  it  often  does  more  harm  than 
good.  When  medicine  has  to  be  given  to  hogs,  it 
is  best  to  give  it  in  the  food, if  they  will  eat  it  If 
there'  are  a  number  to  be  treated,  each  one  should 
have  its  own  allowance.     When  it  is  necessary  to 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

give  it  by  the  mouth,  a  piece  of  rubber  hose  should 
be  put  on  to  the  neck  of  the  bottle  containing  the 
medicine  and  tied  firmly.  The  hog  is  to  be  then 
cast  and  secured  either  by  being  held  or  by  tying. 
Then  open  the  mouth  with  a  piece  of  wood,  intro- 
duce the  rubber  hose  and  pour  the  medicine  slowly 
down.  This  is  the  safest  and  best  way  to  adminis- 
ter medicine  to  swine. 

The  doses  given  in  this  book  are  for  the  adult 
pig.  For  pigs  from  six  months  to  nine  months, 
two-thirds;  from  three  to  six  months,one-half;  from 
six  weeks  to  three  months,  one-third,  and  for  pigs 
younger  than  this  the  dose  should  vary  from  one- 
sixth  to  one-twelfth. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG, 

CHAPTER  I. 
THE  ORGANS  OF  MASTICATION. 


Fia.  138. 
Skull  of  a  Hog— showing  the  teeth. 

Dentition  of  the  Pig. — It  is  of  great  importance 
to  have  a  correct  knowledge  of  the  appearance  of 
the  teeth  so  that  we  can  determine  the  age  of  the 


22  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

animal.  All  those  who  are  engaged  in  the  man- 
agement of  show  pigs,  or  are  dealing  in  them, 
should  study  this  subject  At  birth,  the  young  pig 
has  eight  teeth;  four  temporary  incisors  and  four 
temporary  tushes;  about  the  tenth  day  appear  the 
second  and  third  temporary  molars;  at  one  month, 
four  incisors  are  out,  two  in  the  upper  and  two  in 
the  lower  jaw;  about  the  sixth  week, 
the  temporary  foremost  molars  are  visible; 
at  three  months,  two  more  are  added  to  each 
jaw;  at  this  period  all  the  milk  teeth  are  in  posi- 
tion. Time  is  then  allowed  for  the  jaws  and  teeth 
to  grow,  and  at  six  months,  in  the  majority  of  pigs, 
a  small  tooth  comes  up  on  either  side  of  the  lower 
jaw,  behind  the  temporary  tushes,  between  them 
and  the  molars;  and  in  the  upper  jaw,  directly  in 
front  of  the  molars;  at  six  months,  the  fourth  molar 
appears  through  the  gums;  at  nine  months,  the 
corner  incisors  are  displaced  and  permanent  ones 
make  their  appearance.  The  permanent  tushes 
are  also  cut  at  this  time,  and  the  fifth  molar  on 
each  side  of  both  jaws  makes  its  appearance.  At 
one  year  the  middle  incisors  are  replaced  by  per- 
manent ones,  and  by  this  time  the  tushes  are  of  a 
considerable  size;  at  this  period  the  temporary  in- 
cisors are  shed  and  replaced  by  permanent  ones; 
at  eighteen  months,  in  most  pigs,  dentition  is  com- 
plete, as  the  lateral  incisors  and  the  sixth  molar 
are  up. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 


23 


Prof.  Simonds  furnishes  us  with  the  following 
useful  table: 


24 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 


a 

s 

(^ 

^ 

1  Mo. 

3Mos. 

9  Mos. 

12  Mos. 

18  Mos. 

Foetal      in- 
cisors   .... 

Foetal 
tusks  ..  .. 

Temporary 
incisors    .. 

Pl^rmanent 
incisors    .. 

Permjajiein.t 
tusks    .    .. 

4 
4 

4 
4 
4  central 

4 

4 

8  central 
and 
lateral 

8  central 
and 
lateral 
4  corner 

4  cutting 

4  lateral 

8  central 
and 
corner 
4 

12  central, 
lateral, 

and 
corner 

4 

Total    in 
both  jaws 

8 

12 

16 

16 

16 

16 

Fig.  165. 


THE  TEETH  OP  THE  Pia 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  25 

The  mouth  of  the  hog  is  large  and  the  labial  fis- 
sures extend  far  back;  the  upper  lip  is  blended 
with  the  snout;  the  canine  teeth  are  well  devel- 
oped, especially  in  the  male;  the  low^er  tusks  are 
long  and  curved  outwards  and  upwards;  the  upper 
ones  pass  dow^nw^ards  and  outw^ards,  and  they  con- 
tinue to  grow  during  the  life  of  the  animal. 


26  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 


CHAPTEE  11. 
DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  MASTICATION. 

Pigs,  like  other  animals,  suffer  from  teeth  de- 
rangement, such  as  malformed  teeth  growing  too 
long  or  turning  inwards  on  the  tongue.  Mr.  H. 
had  a  valuable  sow  which  had  difficulty  in  chew- 
ing and  swallowing  her  food;  she  would  chew  a 
few  times,  then  attempt  to  swallow,  and  the 
greater  part  of  it  would  drop  out  of  her  mouth; 
there  was  also  considerable  dribbling  of  saliva;  she 
lost  flesh  fast,  and  the  owner  called  me  to  examine 
her.  On  opening  the  mouth,  I  discovered  that  the 
third  molar  tooth  had  grown  long  and  either 
grown  inward  or  accidentally  gotten  bent  inwards 
and  injured  the  tongue.  I  removed  it  with  a  pair 
of  w^olf's  tooth  forceps  and  applied  a  strong  solu- 
tion of  alum  water  to  the  injured  tongue  and  the 
animal  improved  rapidly.  In  another  case  a  pig 
was  suffering  very  much  and  had  the  symptoms  of 
choking,  or  of  having  gotten  something  in  its 
throat  The  owner  poured  melted  lard  down,  but 
it  did  no  good.  The  animal  would  neither  eat  nor 
drink,  but  kept  moving  around,  and  at  times 
would  squeal.  It  kept  on  in  this  condition  for 
tJiroe  days,  and  as  there  was  considerable  saliva 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  27 

dribbling  from  its  mouth,  the  owner  began  to  fear 
it  was  mad.  I  was  called  to  examine  it  and  saw 
from  the  above  s^^mptoms  that  there  must  be  some 
foreign  substance  either  in  its  mouth  or  throat. 
I  had  the  pig  tied  (it  was  nine  months  old)  and  the 
mouth  opened,  but  could  see  nothing.  I  exam- 
ined it  several  times  with  the  same  result,  but  be- 
ing sure  that  there  must  be  something  there,  I 
tried  again  and  this  time  I  saw  a  small  white  body 
sticking  under  the  side  of  the  tongue.  I  removed 
it  with  a  pair  of  forceps  and  on  examining  it  found 
it  to  be  a  temporary  tooth.  Both  of  these  cases 
would  have  died  in  great  suffering  if  they  had  not 
been  relieved. 

SPORADIC  APHTHA. 

This  is  vesicular  eruption  of  the  mouth.  Al- 
though the  pig  is  not  so  subject  to  diseases  of  the 
mouth  as  cattle,  yet  we  occasionally  see  a  case. 
The  causes  are  usually  local,  such  as  the  animaltak- 
ing  some  irritating  substance  into  its  mouth.  The 
symptoms  consist  of  difficult  prehension  of  food, 
the  animal  will  take  food  into  its  mouth  and  let  it 
drop  out  again;  there  will  be  a  dribbling  of  saliva, 
and  young  pigs  will  squeal.  On  examining  the 
mouth, clusters  of  white  vesicles  will  be  seen  on  the 
cheeks,  lips  and  tongue.  The  treatment  consists 
of  dissolving  half  an  ounce  of  borate  of  soda  in  a 
pint  of  water  and  applying  a  little  of  this  to  the 
mouth  with  a  small  mop.  Another  good  remedy 
is  equal  parts  of  honey  and  vinegar, to  which  may 


28  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

be  added  a  teaspoonful  of  carbolic  acid  to  the  pint, 
to  be  used  as  above.  If  ulcers  appear  they  should 
be  touched  with  a  pencil  of  nitrate  of  silver,  and 
if  not  better,  touched  again  on  the  third  day  with 
the  silver.  Alum  water  is  also  useful,  a  table- 
spoonful  of  the  alum  to  a  half  pint  of  water.  Milk 
or  thin  oatmeal  gruel  should  be  given  to  the  pig 
to  drink. 

There  is  a  disease  of  the  mouth  known  as  "Gum 
Mouth,''  which  is  a  form  of  Gloss  Anthrax.  This 
is  a  constitutional  disease,  locating  itself  in  the 
mouth;  it  is  accompanied  by  a  low  form  of  fever 
and  is  contagious. 

Symptoms:  A  pig  affected  with  this  disease 
will  refuse  food,  the  eyes  w^ill  be  dull,  ears  lopped, 
saliva  dribbling  from  the  mouth,  hot,  dry  nose, 
and  the  appearance  of  small  pustules  on  the  tongue 
and  lips;  the  tongue  will  be  coated  with  a  fur  and 
the  edges  will  be  dark-red  and  raw,  and  a  very  foul 
smell  will  issue  from  the  mouth.  These  pustules 
break  and  discharge  a  very  poisonous  substance 
which  very  soon  kills  the  pig.  They  should  be 
cauterized  with  liquor  hydrargyri  nitratis,  and  a 
glass  rod  used  to  put  it  on.  The  strength  should 
be  kept  up  by  giving  four  grains  of  quinine  dis- 
solved in  two  tablespoonfuls  of  whisky  three  times 
a  day.  Eggs  and  milk  beaten  up  and  a  little 
whisky  added  to  aid  digestion  should  also  be  given 
in  small  quantities  several  times  a  day.  The 
mouth  should  be  washed  out  occasionally  with  a 
solution  of  slippery  elm  bark  with  a  few  drops  of 
carbolic  acid  added  to  it.     The  pig  should  be  kept 


DISEASES    OF    'THE    HOG.  29 

in  a  clean,  dry  place,  and  given  all  the  cold  water 
it  will  take. 

Glossitis  (Inflammation  of  the  Tongue)  is  a  dis- 
ease which  may  be  seen  in  all  our  domestic  ani- 
mals, and  is  caused  by  injuries  and  by  the  animnl 
getting  too  hot  food  or  irritating  medicines. 

Symptoms:  There  will  be  swelling  of  the 
tongue,  the  animal  will  be  salivated,  and  in  bad 
cases  the  tongue  will  be  protruded  from  the 
mouth;  the  swelling,  if  excessive,  will  cause  diffi- 
cult breathing,  and  if  not  relieved  will  cause  suf- 
focation; there  will  be  a  general  derangement  cf 
the  system;  in  some  cases  the  epithelium  (the 
scaly  covering  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
mouth)  may  peel  off,  leaving  the  parts  raw  and 
sore. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease, 
examine  the  tongue  if  possible,  sometimes  this  can- 
not be  done  on  account  of  the  sw^elling,  if  any  for- 
eign body  is  found  remove  it  and  bathe  the  mouth 
with  cold  water  for  half  an  hour  several  times  a 
day  and  apply  a  little  of  the  following  lotion  with 
a  sponge:  acetate  of  lead  one  dram  and  w^ater 
one  pint,  shake  up  well  and  add  one  dram  of  tinc- 
ture of  opium.  Give  a  purge,  such  as  one  to  two 
ounces  of  sulphate  of  magnesium  dissolved  in  half 
a  pint  of  water,  or  if  this  cannot  be  taken,  give  a 
pill  made  of  one-fourth  of  a  grain  of  elaterium  and 
one  grain  of  extract  of  hyoscyamus.  Feed  on  oat- 
meal gruel  or  eggs  and  milk. 


30  disi:asi>:s   ar   Tin-:    noci. 

GANGRENOUS  INFLAMMATION.     (GANGRENA  ORIS.) 

This  is  a  disease  wliicli  is  usually  seen  in  the 
young,  especially  those  having  a  white  skin.  The 
probability  is  that  it  depends  upon  a  peculiar  nior 
bid  condition  of  the  system  and  only  wants  some 
exciting  cause  to  bring  it  out.  The  teeth  seem  to 
be  in  some  way  connected  with  it. 

Symptoms:  It  is  not  usually  noticed  in  the  early 
stages.  It  begins  most  commonly  by  the  appear- 
ance of  white  or  ash-colored  patches  on  the  gums, 
most  frequently  below  the  lower  incisor  teeth,  al- 
though it  may  occur  on  any  part  of  the  mouth; 
there  is  usually  not  much  inflammation  or  swell- 
ing; in  some  cases  where  the  inside  of  the  cheek  is 
the  part  affected,  there  may  be  so  much  swelling 
that  it  is  observed  from  the  outside,  and  the  an- 
imal seems  to  suffer  considerable  pain,  especially 
when  it  tries  to  eat;  the  patient  often  suffers  from 
weakness.  As  the  disease  advances  the  slougli 
spreads,  and  the  external  parts  become  hard  to 
the  touch;  there  will  be  a  flow  of  saliva  and  the 
breath  becomes  fetid.  I  have  seen  a  case  of  this 
kind  where  the  complaint  penetrated  the  deep 
structures  and  caused  necrosis  of  the  bone  (death 
of  the  bone);  the  teeth  became  loose  and  the  pig 
had  to  be  destroyed.  In  the  majority  of  cases,  as 
the  disease  advances,  the  animal  is  unable  to  take 
food;  an  exhaustive  diarrhea  sets  in  and  carries 
off  the  animal. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease 
take  sulphate  of  copper,  half  a  dram  to  the  ounce 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  31 

of  water,  and  apply  two  or  three  times  daily,  so 
as  to  touch  every  portion  of  the  diseased  surface. 
Tincture  chloride  of  iron,  full  strength,  applied  to 
it  is  also  useful.  Nitrate  of  silver,  either  in  solu- 
tion or  pencil,  is  also  good.  When  there  is  much 
fetor  the  mouth  should  be  washed  with  a  solution 
of  carbolic  acid,  one  to  fifty.  The  little  animal 
should  be  supported  by  brandy  and  eggs,  one  to 
two  grains  of  quinine  should  also  be  given  twice 
a  day. 

BLACK  TEETH. 

There  has  been  a  great  deal  said  and  written  on 
this  subject,  but  the  great  majority  of  the  profes- 
sion at  the  present  day  consider  that  black  teeth 
is  not  a  disease  which  is  capable  of  causing  death. 
I  have  studied  black  teeth  and  have  never  been 
able  to  connect  it  with  any  of  the  diseases  affect- 
ing the  pig,  and  in  the  majority  of  cases  it  seems 
to  do  no  harm  to  the  animaPs  health.  I  have  no 
doubt,  how^ever,  that  pigs  suffer  as  well  as  other 
animals  from  tooth  ache,  but  I  have  never  seen  any 
cases  where  I  could  detect  it.  I  am  not  able  to  ac- 
count for  the  cause  of  black  teeth  unless  it  be  nat- 
ural for  some  hogs  to  have  them.  If  it  should  be 
discovered  that  a  hog  has  a  decayed  tooth  and  is 
apparently  suffering  from  it,  by  all  means  have  it 
removed,  which  can  easily  be  done  w^ith  a  pair  of 
wolf  teeth  forceps.  I  can  advise  swine  breeders 
not  to  trouble  themselves  if  they  should  notice 
some  of  their  pigs  having  discolored  teeth.  *  • 


32  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 


CHAPTER  III. 
STOMACH  OF  THE  PIO. 

Fig  139,  Stomach  of  the  Pig  Inflated.— A.  Car- 
diac  portion.  B.  Its  accessory  cul-de-sac.  C. 
Pyloric  portion.  D.  Lesser  curvature.  E.  Great- 
er curvature.     F.  Oesophagus.     G.  Pyloric  orifice. 

The  stomach  of  the  pig  is  simple,  although  it 
takes  on  somewhat  of  a  compound  form,  and  to  a 
certain  extent  performs  the  func^on  of  carnivora 
and  ruminants.  It  consists  of  two  portions:  car- 
diac and  pyloric;  the  latter  is  the  smaller,  but  the 
divisions  are  marked  externally  by  a  much  more 
distinct  contraction.  At  the  upper  and  left  portion 
of  the  cardiac  half  is  a  small  cul-de-sac.  The 
oesophagus  is  infundibuliform  in  its  termination. 
The  mucous  membrane,  for  the  most  part  villous 
(velvety)  in  its  structure,  forms  two  folds,  which 
extend  from  the  cardiac  towards  the  pyloric  ori- 
fice, representing  undeveloped  oesophageal  pil- 
lars and  canal.  The  gastric  juice  of  the  hog  con- 
tains the  same  ferments  as  are  found  in  the  secre- 
tions of  other  mammals.  The  secretions  from  dif- 
ferent portions  of  the  stomach  differ;  that  obtained 
from  the  greater  curvature  contains  more  mucin, 
more  acid  and  more  ferment  than  that  from  the 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  33 

other  portions,  while  the  secretions  from  the  oeso- 
phageal portion  are  free  from  ferment.  It  is  found 
that  the  conversion  of  starch  into  sugar  continues 
in  the  stomach  of  the  pig,  as  the  food  remains  alk- 
aline in  the  cardiac  end;  but  as  the  food  moves  on 
and  comes  in  contact  with  the  acid  gastric  juice 
it  ceases.  The  saliva  of  the  pig  is  very  active,  and 
its  action  continuing  after  it  has  reached  the  stom- 
ach gives  the  pig  very  great  power  of  digesting 
starchy  food,  and  on  this  account  the  pig  takes 
on  fat  more  rapidly  than  other  animals,  while  be- 
ing fed  on  cereals,  especially  corn.  It  has  been 
noted  by  experiment  that  flesh  takes  a  much  long- 
er time  to  digest  in  the  stomach  of  the  pig  than 
it  does  in  that  of  carnivora.  The  pig  does  not 
masticate  vegetable  matters  as  well  as  herbivor- 
ous animals,  so  that  they  are  less  constituted  for 
the  extraction  of  nutritive  principles  from  it; 
therefore,  although  meat  and  vegetables  are  use- 
ful as  articles  of  diet,  they  are  not  so  profitable  for 
feeding  purposes  as  grain.  It  is  claimed  that  tlie 
pig  is  capable  of  digesting  fully  fifty  per  cent  of 
cellulose.  Figure  140.  The  intestines  in  general 
resemble  those  of  the  ruminent  The  caecum  re- 
sembles that  of  the  horse.  The  intestines  are  not 
nearly  so  sensitive  and  therefore  are  not  nearly  so 
liable  to  disease  as  those  of  the  horse;  they  are 
short  and  the  absorbent  glands  are  numerous  and 
active. 


^4  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOCi. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
DISEASES  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

Indigestion. — The  pig,  like  other  animals,  suf- 
fers at  times  from  derangement  of  the  stomach. 
If  fed  for  a  long  time  on  one  kind  of  food  it  is  likely 
to  be  affected  with  indigestion,  loss  of  appetite, 
dullness  and  loss  of  flesh,  and  this  condition  is  fa- 
vorable for  the  development  of  worms  or  ulcera- 
tion of  the  stomach.  It  is  therefore  necessary,  in 
order  to  keep  a  pig  in  good  health,  to  give  it  a 
mixed  diet  or  complete  change  of  food  for  a  few 
days.  There  are  a  number  of  diseases  in  other 
parts  of  the  body  which  are  caused  by  a  faulty 
digestion,  such  as  diarrhea,  vomiting,  lung  and 
skin  diseases  and  a  number  of  others. 

Symptoms  of  Indigestion:  The  appetite  is 
usually  more  or  less  impaired,  and  sometimes 
wanting  altogether,  constituting  "anorexia;''  in 
other  cases  again  there  is  a  morbid  craving  for  stuff 
that  they  would  not  touch  in  health;  they  will  come 
up  to  the  trough,  take  a  few  mouthfuls,  then  leave 
off;  in  some  cases  the  pig  will  press  its  nose  against 
the  ground  and  may  whine  or  squeal;  sometimes 
it  will  vomit  up  a  thin,  sour-smelling  liquid  mixe<l 
with  a  little  half  masticated  food;  the  bowels  may 


DISEASES    OP   THE    HOC.  35 

be  constipated  or  there  may  be  diarrhea;  in 
chronic  cases  there  is  often  a  cough  and  the  pig 
may  suffer  from  headache,  or  it  may  stagger  from 
giddiness  and  even  fall  over;  in  young  pigs  it 
causes  fits.  The  animal  in  this  condition  will  not 
thrive  or  grow,  but  usually  loses  flesh  and  some 
times  becomes  emaciated  with  wasted  muscles 
and  a  sunken  abdomen.  The  pulse,  in  some  cases, 
is  quite  natural ;  in  others  it  is  somewhat  increased 
in  frequency  or  is  irregular;  there  may  also  be 
fever  and  scanty,  high-colored  urine. 

The  causes  of  indigestion  in  the  pig  are  want  of 
exercise  and  too  much  food,  or  food  of  a  poor  qual- 
ity; hence  it  results  in  weakening  the  stomach.  To 
prevent  this  the  pig  should  be  allowed  to  run  at 
large  in  a  field;  especially  is  this  the  case  in  the 
young  pig,  as  it  requires  more  exercise  than  the 
adult.  It  should  be  regularly  fed  on  nutritious  food 
and  not  too  much  of  it 

Treatment:  If  the  pig  is  constipated  give  from 
one  to  two  ounces  of  epsom  salts  and  a  teaspoonf ul 
of  ginger,  dissolved  in  half  a  pint  of  water,  at  one 
dose.  If  there  is  diarrhea  give  from  one  to  two 
tablespoonfuls  of  castor  oil  or  from  a  dessert  to  a 
table  spoonful  of  tincture  of  rhubarb.  After  the 
physic  has  operated  give  a  teaspoonful  each  of 
tincture  of  gentian  and  ginger  at  a  dose  three 
times  a  day;  or  if  the  animal  will  take  a  little  food 
give  from  five  to  ten  grains  of  sulphate  of  iron  and 
a  teaspoonful  of  ground  anise  at  a  dose  in  the  food 
twice  a  day.  If  the  animal  is  troubled  with  vomit- 
ing give  one  to  two  drops  of  the  wine  of  ipecac;  or 


36  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

five  drops  of  carbolic  acid  in  a  little  sweetened 
water  will  be  found  useful;  ten  drops  of  nitro-muri- 
atic  acid  in  a  little  water  given  twice  a  day  is  also 
good. 

GASTRITIS  (INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  STOMACH.) 

This  disease  is  usually  seated  in  the  mucous 
membrane  and  the  sub-mucous  areolar  or  connect- 
ive tissue;  but  in  some  severe  cases  the  muscular 
tissue  is  also  involved. 

Acute  gastritis  is  not  a  common  disease  in  the 
hog,  and  it  is  not  often  seen  as  an  independent  af- 
fection, but  is  more  frequently  associated  witli 
some  other  disease.  Wood  says:  "Few  organs 
resist  so  firmly  the  ordinary  direct  causes  of  in- 
flammation as  the  stomach,  and  few  are  so  readily 
affected  through  the  sympathies.'' 

Causes :  Inflammation  of  the  stomach  is  usually 
caused  by  the  pig  eating  some  indigestible  food 
which  sets  up  irritation,  or  by  caustic  medicines, 
or  in  some  few  cases  by  rheumatism. 

Symptoms :  There  will  be  vomiting,  great  pain, 
restlessness,  the  pig  moving  about  almost  con- 
stantly from  place  to  place,  and  occasionally 
squealing;  it  will  refuse  food,  but  may  be  thirsty; 
the  substance  thrown  up  will  be,  first,  the  contents 
of  the  stomach,  afterwards,  bile  or  mucus  often 
tinged  with  blood;  the  end  of  the  nose  is  dry,  and  if 
the  tongue  is  examined  it  will  be  found  to  be 
coated  with  a  whitish  fur;  the  bowels  are  usually 
constipated;    the  animal  breathes  fast,  and    thit 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  37 

pulse  is  full  and  frequent  at  first;  the  skin  is  dry, 
the  urine  high  colored,  and  there  is  sometimes  a 
hard,  dry  cough.  As  the  disease  advances  these 
symptoms  become  intensified;  debility  and  rest- 
lessness increase;  delirium  sometimes  takes  place, 
or  the  animal  may  become  partially  paralyzed  and 
soon  sink  and  die.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  disease 
should  take  a  favorable  turn,  the  vomiting  will  be- 
come less  frequent  or  cease  altogether;  the  animal 
becomes  quiet,  lies  down  and  may  go  to  sleep,  and 
after  a  while  may  be  looking  for  food.  In  some 
cases  of  gastritis  caused  by  irritant  poisons,  the 
animal  may  die  in  a 'very  short  time;  but  in  the 
majority  of  cases  the  pig  will  live  for  twenty-four 
hours  to  four  or  five  days. 

Treatment:  If  possible,  find  the  cause.  If  it 
should  be  a  strong  acid  give  carbonate  of  soda  or 
lime  water;  or  if  nothing  else  is  at  hand  scrape 
some  of  the  plaster  or  whitewash  off  the  wall,  mix 
it  with  water  and  give  it  as  soon  as  possible.  On 
the  other  hand,  if  it  should  be  by  an  alkali,  give 
vinegar,  then  give  flaxseed  w^ater,  barley  water, 
or  gum  arable  dissolved  in  water;  of  if  nothing  else 
is  on  hand  give  milk.  The  animal  should  always 
get  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  drops  of  tincture  of 
opium  in  a  little  water  every  hour,  or  one  to  two 
grains  of  powdered  opium  and  a  half  grain  of  calo- 
mel. If  from  indigestible  food,  give  one  to  two 
ounces  of  castor  oil;  follow  this  with  linseed  tea 
or  gum  arable  dissolved  in  water,  and  the  opium 
as  before.  When  the  vomiting  has  lasted  for  some 
time  it  ought  to  be  checked  if  possible,  and  this 


38  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

is  best  done  by  giving  from  ten  to  twenty  drops  of 
the  medicinal  solution  of  prussic  acid  in  a  little 
Avater,  or  one  to  two  drops  of  the  wine  of  ipecac. 
AUow^  the  pig  all  the  cold  water  it  will  take.  After 
the  acute  stage  is  over,  the  pig  should  get  a  little 
new  milk,  with  a  little  whisky  or  brandy  in  it,  sev- 
eral times  a  day.  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  al- 
low the  animal  to  have  much  food  for  a  week  o:* 
ten  days;  a  little  oatmeal  made  up  with  boiling 
water  and  mixed  with  milk  will  be  the  best  food. 
Post  Mortem  Appearance. — It  was  at  one  time 
thought  that  redness  indicated  that  the  stomach 
was  inflamed,  but  mere  redness  may  be  j) resent 
after  death  and  the  stomach  have  been  healthy. 
In  cases  of  true  inflammation  the  mucous  mem- 
brane will  be  very  much  swollen  and  congested. 
In  some  cases  I  have  found  swelling  so  great  tha; 
it  had  completely  closed  the  cardiac  opening  into 
the  oesophagus.  In  such  cases  the  animals  can- 
not swallow,  there  is  considerable  infiltration  gT 
serum  mixed  in  the  tissues,  which  are  usually 
easily  broken  down  and  will  be  either  almost  black 
or  of  a  yellow  tinge. 

MEAT  BRINE. 

Salt  in  moderate  quantities  promotes  digestion 
and  the  general  health  of  the  animal;  but  when 
tal^n  in  too  large  quantities  it  deranges  the  stom- 
ach and  bowels,  causing  the  formation  of  gases, 
diarrhea,  vertigo,  convulsions  and  paralysis,  and 
death  in  eight  to  twenty-four  hours.  It  also  causes 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  39 

acute  inflammation  of  the  stomach  or  bowels,  or 
both.  I  have  treated  pigs  which  got  too  much  salt 
brine,  causing  the  above.  The  mucous  membrane 
of  the  stomach,  and  in  some  cases  part  of  the  intes- 
tines, were  found,  after  death,  highly  injected  and 
swollen  in  patches  and  of  a  dark-red  or  a  greenish- 
yellow  color.  Pigs  should  not  be  allowed  to  get 
brine  of  meat,  unless  in  very  small  quantities,  and 
then  it  should  be  boiled.  In  cases  where  saltpetre 
has  been  used  in  conjunction  with  the  salt  in  curing 
meat  the  brine  should  not  be  used.  The  symptoms 
are  those  of  gastritis.  Treatment  will  depend  on 
the  nature  of  the  case.  If  seen  early  and  the  pig 
has  not  vomited,  mix  a  tablespoonful  of  mustard 
in  half  a  pint  of  hot  water  and  pour  it  down.  If 
the  animal  does  not  vomit  in  fifteen  minutes  repeat 
the  dose.  Then  give  one  to  two  grains  of  pow- 
dered opium  in  a  little  sweet  oil  every  two  hours 
to  relieve  the  pain.  The  animal  will  be  very 
thirsty  and  should  get  water  in  which  barley  or 
slippery  elm  has  been  put.  If  there  is  severe  diar- 
rhea add  five  grains  of  acetate  of  lead  to  the 
opium;  if  there  are  convulsions  give  bromide  of 
potassium  in  two  to  four  dram  doses,  dissolved  in 
water,  every  two  hours.  In  cases  of  paralysis  give 
a  tablespoonful  of  spirits  of  nitrous  ether  mixed 
with  half  the  quantity' of  aromatic  spirits  of  am- 
monia in  a  little  water  every  two  hours.  If  there 
should  be  constipation  give  from  one  to  two  ounces 
of  castor  oil. 


40  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

SIMPLE  ULCERS  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

I  have  met  wth  several  eases  of  ulceratoin  of  the 
stomach  of  the  pig  as  an  independent  disease  and 
in  conjunction  with  other  diseases,  such  as  hog 
cholera.  In  one  well  marked  case,  a  fine  sow, 
which  had  been  in  a  thrifty  condition  until  she  was 
one  year  old,  was  noticed  to  vomit  occasionally, 
and  seemed  to  be  somewhat  uneasy  after  eating; 
this  continued  for  several  months  and  she  began 
to  lose  flesh;  and  being  a  valuable  sow  I  was  called 
to  see  her.  By  this  time  some  blood  was  mixed 
with  the  food  in  the  vomit,  and  I  diagnosed  the 
disease  to  be  either  ulceration  or  cancer.  I  ex- 
amined some  of  the  material  vomited,  but  could 
not  get  any  satisfactory  results  from  it. 

Symptoms:  The  appetite  is  variable,  in  some 
cases  it  may  not  be  much  affected.  The  animal 
will  begin  to  eat  its  food  with  an  apparent  relish 
and  all  at  once  it  will  stop  feeding,  leave  the 
trough,  apparently  in  pain.  It  may  vomit  or  seem 
to  be  trying  to  do  so,  something  between  a  cough 
and  an  effort  to  vomit,  and  there  may  be  only  eruc- 
tions  of  gas.  The  animal  soon  gets  into  an  un- 
thrifty condition;  the  bowels  are  usually  confined 
and  the  urine  scanty  and  high  colored;  the  pulse 
and  breathing  are  not  affected  in  the  early  stages 
of  the  disease.  If  the  animal  is  not  relieved  it 
gradually  becomes  worse,  vomits  up  nearly  all  its 
food,  seems  to  be  in  much  pain,  and  the  contents 
of  the  stomach  are  usually  mixed  with  blood. 
There  is  no  other  disease  that  can  be  mistaken  for 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  41 

this  one  except  inflammation,  which  is  vei*y  short 
in  its  duration,  while  ulceration  may  last  for  near- 
ly a  year  before  it  destroys  life. 

Treatment:  There  are  a  number  of  remedies 
which  can  be  used  in  the  treatment  of  this  disease. 
Subnitrate  of  bismuth  in  ten  grain  doses  three 
times  a  day  is  very  useful;  this  should  be  given  on 
an  empty  stomach.  Half  a  grain  of  nitrate  of  silver 
and  half  a  grain  of  opium  is  a  very  valuable  rem- 
edy ;  it  is  best  given  in  pill  and  should  be  adminis- 
tered three  times  a  day  before  feeding.  Small 
doses  of  sulphate  of  iron  are  useful.  One  grain  of 
mercury  in  the  form  of  blue  mass  and  one-sixth  of 
a  grain  of  ipecacuanha  made  into  a  pill  and  one 
given  three  times  a  day  for  a  week  is  good. 

Post  Mortem  Appearance. — The  ulcers  are  usu- 
ally found  in  patches  of  various  extent  and  the 
mucous  membrane  surrounding  them  is  swollen 
and  of  a  dark-red  or  bluish  color.  The  ulcers  are 
of  various  shapes ;  some  of  them  are  pitted,  others 
are  filled  up  w^ith  a  grayish-brown  substance.  In 
the  majority  of  cases  they  are  hard  to  the  touch  or 
to  cut  with  the  knife;  sometimes  they  are  soft.  A 
number  of  these  ulcers  seem  to  join  together,  form- 
ing a  j)atch  one  to  two  inches  long  and  half  an  inch 
wide.  The  root  or  base  of  the  ulcer  usually  ex- 
tends through  the  stomach,  forming  a  hard,  bluish 
tumor;  and  it  is  said  that  sometimes  they  slougli 
out,  leaving  an  opening  through  the  walls  of  the 
stomach,  although  I  have  not  seen  such  a  case. 


42  DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG. 

VOniTINQ. 

Vomiting  is  the  act  of  ejecting  material  from 
the  stomach.  It  is  accomplished  in  two  modes. 
Simple  vomiting  is  merely  regurgitation  or  eructa- 
tions effected  by  contractions  of  the  stomach, 
sometimes  assisted  by  the  voluntary  contractions 
of  the  diaphragm.  Second  form,  which  is  the  re- 
sult of  the  combined  actions  of  the  stomach,  dia- 
phragm and  abdominal  muscles. 

Causes:  The  most  common  cause  of  vomiting  is 
inflammation  or  irritation  of  the  stomach.  Sub- 
stances in  the  form  of  food  which  are  not  readily 
digested  become  sour  and  irritate  the  stomach. 
Diseases  of  the  abdnominal  viscera  are  very  apt  to 
cause  it  also.  There  are  conditions  of  the  nervous 
system,  produced  by  various  causes,  which  dispose 
to  that  cerebral  action  essential  to  vomiting.  In- 
juries to  any  part  of  the  body  which  produce  shock 
or  exhaustion  will  cause  it.  Disorders  of  the  brain 
are  often  accompanied  by  violent  vomiting.  Some- 
times pigs  may  appear  well  and  eat  heartily  and  in 
a  few  minutes  afterwards  vomit;  this  form  is 
usually  the  result  of  ulcers  and  can  usually  be  pre- 
vented by  putting  a  few  drops  of  carbolic  acid  in 
the  food,  five  drops  are  usually  sufficient. 

Treatment:  It  is  obvious  that  we  should  find  the 
cause,  as  upon  the  condition  depends  the  value  of 
the  remedy.  If  from  eating  indigestible  food,  give 
a  teaspoonful  of  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia.  Tf 
from  inflammation  or  irritation,  give  from  one  lo 
two  grains  of  opium  in  pill,  or  from  one  to  two 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  4;^ 

drops  of  the  wine  of  ipecacuanha.  If  it  is  rejected 
by  vomiting  before  it  has  had  time  to  act,  mix  from 
twenty  to  sixty  drops  of  tincture  of  opium  in  a  lit- 
tle thin  starch  gruel  and  give  as  an  injection  per 
rectum.  If  this  does  not  stop  it  give  hypodermic- 
ally  one-sixth  of  a  grain  of  morphea  in  twenty 
drops  «f  pure  water.  One  drop  of  creosote  at  a 
dose  and  repeated  if  needed  is  sometimes  very  use- 
ful. Some  place  great  confidence  in  chloroform 
in  doses  of  from  five  to  twenty  drops.  This  may 
be  tried  if  the  others  fail. 

MORBID   APPETITE. 

There  are  two  forms  of  this  derangement:  first, 
an  animal  may  eat  enormous  quantities  of  food 
and  still  not  be  fat;  second,  it  may  eat  unusual  sub- 
stances. In  the  first  case  the  animal  should  be  al- 
lowed only  a  reasonable  quantity  of  good  food  for 
several  weeks  until  the  stomach  becomes  accus- 
tomed to  it.  The  second  form  is  usually  called  de- 
praved appetite  (Pica).  In  this  disorder  there  is  a 
desire,  which  seems  to  be  irresistible,  for  sub- 
stances wholly  unfit  for  food.  This  is  often  a 
habit,  but  may  be  caused  by  some  deranged  state 
of  the  stomach.  The  desire  for  earths,  lime,  stone, 
etc.,  would  indicate  that  the  anin^aFs  stomach  was 
in  an  acid  condition. 

Treatment:  In  the  first  case  regulate  the  food 
so  that  the  animal  cannot  get  too  much.  The 
stomach  and  bowels  are  usually  in  a  w^eakened 
condition  and  require  toning  up,  which  is  best  done 


44  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

b}'  giving  from  five  to  ten  grains  of  sulphate  of 
iron  and  a  dessert  spoonful  of  aniseseed  at  a  dose 
in  its  food  twice  a  day  for  a  month,  and  by  this 
time  the  animal  will  usually  be  cured.  If  not,  it 
would  be  wise  to  kill  it,  as  those  morbid  feeders 
never  do  well.  In  the  second,  put  the  animal  in 
a  place  w^here  it  cannot  get  at  the  material  it  eats, 
and  give  it  a  dose  of  epsom  salts,  one  to  two  ounces, 
then  give  the  above  tonic.  If  the  animal  has  been 
in  the  habit  of  eating  earth,  give  it  bicarbonate  of 
soda  in  its  food,  one  teaspoonful  at  a  dose,  com- 
bined with  the  tonic. 

HEMATEMESIS. 

Bleeding  from  the  stomach  is  usually  attended 
by  vomiting  of  blood,  but  not  always,  as  the  blood 
may  have  been  swallowed,  then  vomited,  without 
any  hemorrhage  direct  from  the  stomach.  It  is 
not  common  in  the  pig,  although  I  have  seen  a 
few  cases. 

Causes:  Injuries  in  the  region  of  the  stomach, 
such  as  a  kick  from  a  horse.  I  have  had  a  case 
from  this  cause.  Hard  substances  that  the  ani- 
mal had  swallowed,  caustic  substances  introduced 
into  the  stomach,  violent  straining  in  vomiting 
and  from  inflammation  and  ulceration.  It  is  also 
produced  from  diseases  of  the  liver,  spleen  and 
other  organs. 

Symptoms:  Hematemesis  may  be  preceded  by 
loss  of  appetite  or  it  may  come  on  suddenly,  which 
is  the  case  when  it  is  caused  by  violence.     Hemor- 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  45 

rliage  may  take  place  in  the  stomach  and  pass  off 
by  way  of  the  bowels,  which  often  happens  when 
the  quantity  is  too  small  to  induce  vomiting,  the 
feces  in  this  case  are  usually  black.  When  w^e 
suspect  hemorrhage  the  mouth  and  nostrils  should 
be  examined  to  find  their  condition.  There  is  no 
difficulty  in  discriminating  between  hematemesis 
and  hemoptysis  (bleeding  from  the  lungs).  In  the 
former,  the  blood  is  usuall}^  dark  in  color  and  co- 
agulated and  mixed  with  the  contents  of  the  stom- 
ach and  is  discharged  by  vomiting.  In  the  latter, 
it  is  bright  red  and  frothy,  never  coagulated,  fre- 
quently mixed  with  mucus,  and  brought  up  by 
coughing.  Death  is  not  the  usual  result,  although 
the  disease  may  be  speedily  fatal.  In  one  case 
w^here  a  pig  was  kicked  by  a  horse,  causing  hemat- 
emesis, the  pig  died  in  a  short  time.  I  made  a 
post  mortem  and  found  the  stomach  distended 
with  blood.  In  this  case  the  animal  did  not  vomit. 
So  it  may  be  that  many  cases  may  take  place  and 
kill  the  animal  and  the  cause  of  death  not  be 
known. 

Treatment:  Acetate  of  lead  from  one  to  two 
grains  and  opium  one  to  two  grains,  given  at  a 
dose  and  repeated  every  two  hours,  is  a  most  effi- 
cient internal  remedy.  If  this  should  be  rejected 
give  lime  water  and  milk  to  quiet  the  stomach, 
then  give  fifteen  drops  oil  of  turpentine  and  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-five  drops  tincture  of  opium,  re- 
peat every  two  hours;  if  this  should  be  rejected 
give  a  teaspoonful  of  tincture  of  opium  in  a  little 
gruel  as  an  injection.     The  fluid  extract  of  ergot 


46 


DISEASES    OF    THfi    HO(^. 


of  rye  in  teaspoonful  doses  may  be  tried.  If  the 
auiiual  is  very  weak  give  from  one  to  two  teaspoon- 
fuls  of  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  in  a  little  cold 
water,  repeat  every  hour  if  needed.  After  the 
hemorrhage  has  ceased  feed  on  milk  and  eggs  with 
two  tablespoonfuls  of  limewater  or  two  or  three 
drops  of  carbolic  acid  in  it.  Feed  very  sparingly 
for  a  few  days. 


Fio.WO. 


Cecum  and  colon  of  a  hog — inflated, 
bb,  Cecum;  ccc,  Colon;   d,  Ttectum. 


a,  Ileum; 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  47 


CHAPTER  V. 
DISEASES  OF  THE  INTESTINES. 

Enteritis  (Inflammation    of   the  Bowels.)     En- 
teritis, strictly  speaking,  means  inflammation  of 
any  part  of  the  bowels,  but  it  is  seldom  that  the 
bowel  is  inflamed  throughout  its  entire  length, 
This  is  a  very  fatal  disease  in  all  animals,  espe 
cially  in  the  pig.     The  causes  are  colds,  injuries 
irritating  substances  in  the  food,  obstinate  con 
stipation  or  diarrhea.     It  is  also  caused  by  drink 
ing  bad  water  and  sometimes  is  a  result  of  other 
diseases. 

Symptoms:  A  pig  affected  by  this  disease  re- 
fuses food,  is  thirsty,  is  very  restless,  has  a  dull 
appearance  and  suffers  much  pain  will  lie  down, 
roll  on  its  side,  get  up,  move  around  and  grunt  or 
squeal  the  mouth  is  dry  and  of  a  purplish  color, 
and  if  the  pig  has  a  white  skin  it  will  be  red  in 
patches,  especially  on  the  belly;  there  is  a  great 
tenderness  of  the  walls  of  the  abdomen  and  the 
animal  will  squeal  or  moan  if  pressed  upon;  diar- 
rhea is  usually  present  and  the  discharge  from  the 
bowels  is  apt  to  be  followed  by  an  increase  in 
the  pain;  but  after  a  few  minutes  seems  to  be 
mitigated  somewhat.     The  discharge  may  be  very 


48  DISEASES    OP    THE    HOC. 

frequent  and  tinged  with  blood,  occasionally  it 
is  of  a  dark  or  green  color,  being  charged  with 
bile;  sometimes  there  is  flatulent  distention  of 
the  bowels,  the  temperature  is  usually  from  104  to 
105  and  the  pulse  at  first  is  full  and  soft  and  very 
frequent,  from  120  to  150  per  minute;  as  the  dis- 
ease advances  the  pulse  becomes  weak  and  almost 
imperceptible;  the  breathing  is  short  and  fast  and 
the  animal  may  have  shivering  fits;  there  is  often 
severe  vomiting,  which  is  very  distressing  to  the 
patient.  This  disease  in  the  pig  usually  lasts  from 
three  days  to  one  week  and  is  caused  most  fre- 
quently from  mortification  and  collapse. 

Post  mortem  appearance:  The  mucous  mem- 
brane is  thickened  and  gangrenous  and  often  there 
will  be  ulceration,  which  might  lead  one  to  call  it 
"Hog  Cholera.''  The  ulcers  often  penetrate  the 
walls  of  the  bowel,  and  if  a  number  of  them  should 
coalesce  under  such  circumstances  a  slight  force 
of  pressure  is  sufficient  to  cause  rupture,  allowing 
the  contents  of  the  bowel  to  pass  into  the  abdom- 
•inal  cavity.  I  have  frequently  seen  cases  of  this 
sort.  Sometimes  there  will  be  a  sloughing  of  the 
mucous  membrane,  caused  by  effusion  between  it 
and  the  muscular  coat.  Cases  have  occurred  in 
which  several  feet  of  the  mucous  membrane  had 
become  detached.  Portions  of  false  membrane 
are  occasionally  observed  adhering  to  the  surface 
of  the  mucous  membrane. 

Treatment:    When  there  is  diarrhea  present 
give  from  one  to  two  ounces  of  castor  oil  with  fif  ■ 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  49 

teen  to  twenty-five  drops  of  tincture  of  opium  in 
it  this  will  clear  out  the  irritating  secretions  or 
accumulations  and  the  laudanum  will  assist  in  re- 
lieving the  pain.  If  there  is  constipation  epsom 
salts  and  manna  will  be  found  useful.  After  the 
physic  operates  give  one-fourth  of  a  grain  of  calo- 
mel and  one  grain  of  opium  made  into  a  pill  three 
times  a  day.  If  the  fever  is  high  with  a  strong, 
fast  pulse,  give  one  to  two  or  three  drops  of  the 
fluid  extract  of  veratrum  viride  in  a  little  water 
until  the  pulse  is  reduced  in  force  and  frequency. 
The  pig  should  get  quantities  of  linseed  tea  or  gum 
arable,  which  will  soothe  the  irritated  membrane. 
If  the  diarrhea  should  continue,  mercury  with 
chalk  should  be  substituted  for  the  calomel.  If 
the  pain  continues  very  severe,  the  dose  of  opium 
should  be  given  larger  or  oftener.  The  animal 
should  be  kept  in  a  dry,  comfortable  place  with 
plenty  of  straw  to  lie  down  on,  and  solutions  of 
arrow-root  or  sago  with  milk  should  be  given  as 
food  to  keep  up  the  strength.  External  treatment 
is  not  practicable.  As  soon  as  it  becomes  con- 
valescent feed  on  oatmeal  and  milk  in  small  quan- 
tities for  a  week  or  two. 

DYSENTERY. 

Dysentery  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  large  intestine,  especially  the 
rectum,  characterized  by  severe  tenesmus  (strain- 
ing) and  the  passage  of  small  quantities  of  mucous 
or  bloody  feces,  accompanied  by  pain. 


50  DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG. 

Causes:  Eating  decayed  vegetable  niatter  or 
vegetables  not  easily  digested,  putrid  animal  sub- 
stances and  constipation;  lying  in  cold,  dami) 
places  at  night  is  a  very  common  cause;  it  is  also 
caused  by  a  congested  state  of  the  portal  circula- 
tion and  a  sluggish  condition  of  the  liver,  often 
seen  in  fat  pigs,  drastic  purges,  worms,  and  a  se- 
quel of  adynamic  diseases.  A  number  of  pigs  on 
the  same  farm  may  be  attacked  at  the  same  time 
without  any  apparent  cause.  In  such  cases  it 
must  be  of  a  miasmatic  nature  and  often  takes  on 
a  typhoid  form. 

Symptoms  of  acute  dysentery :  This  is  not  a  com- 
mon disease  of  the  pig,  although  I  have  seen  sev- 
eral outbreaks  supposed  to  have  been  caused  by 
bad  water.  It  is  usually  preceded  or  followed  by 
general  uneasiness,  dullness,  impaired  appetite, 
with  stiffness  in  moving;  there  is  more  or  less  pain, 
as  the  animal  whines;  there  may  be  constipation 
or  diarrhea,  the  passages  are  usually  lumpy  at 
first,  and  very  frequent;  after  the  first  few  evacua- 
tions what  is  passed  is  of  a  whitish  mucus  or 
mucus  mixed  with  blood.  As  the  disease  ad- 
vances there  will  be  shreds  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane passed  or  small  masses  of  coagulated  mat- 
ter. There  is  usually  a  good  deal  of  flatus  passed 
and  relief  follows  for  a  time.  At  first  the  dis- 
charges have  little  smell,  but  after  a  time  they 
become  very  offensive.  There  is  always  fever,  ex- 
cept in  very  mild  cases.  Generally  the  disease 
takes  a  turn  between  the  sixth  and  tenth  day  and 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  51 

the  i^atient  recovers;  or  sometimes  it  becomes  worse 
at  this  time,  which  is  indicated  by  great  depression, 
the  straining  Teases  to  a  certain  extent  or  alto- 
gether, the  animal  lies  down  and  can  hardly  be 
induced  to  rise,  the  skin  is  cold,  the  breathing  is 
fast  and  short  and  the  pulse  imperceptible,  the 
body  may  be  covered  with  purple  spots  and  the 
animal  will  die  in  a  few  hours.  This  disease  is 
often  taken  fOr  "hog  cholera.'^ 

Post  mortem  appearance:  In  cases  of  death  from 
dysentery  there  are  always  signs  of  inflammation 
of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  rectum  and  lower 
portion  of  the  colon,  although  the  inflammation 
may  extend  much  farther  up,  as  I  have  found  it  in 
the  small  intestine.  The  membrane  is  much 
thickened  and  of  a  dark  red  color,  and  there  are 
usually  ulcers.  These  ulcers  may  be  single  or 
confluent.  The  single  ones  have  abrupt  edges  and 
are  often*  covered  with  a  concrete  exudation  and 
somewhat  resemble  a  slough.  In  some  cases  co- 
agulated lymph  will  be  found  coating  almost  all 
the  membrane;  in  some  cases  there  will  be  real 
gangrenous  sloughs.  Very  often  in  protracted 
cases  the  liver  will  either  be  in  a  congested  state 
or  of  a  dirty  gray  color,  very  easily  torn,  and  the 
gall  bladder  distended  with  gall.  The  spleen  may 
be  enlarged  and  congested.  In  the  majority  of 
cases  the  lungs  appear  healthy.  The  kidneys  are 
often  congested  and  there  is  considerable  effusion 
in  the  abdominal  cavity  with  some  peritonitis. 
The  lymphatics  are  usually  much  enlarged  and 
soft. 


52  DISEASES    OF    TTTE    TT0(5. 

Treatment:  The  most  efflcieut  remedy  in  dyt^.- 
entery  is  a  good  physic,  as  it  cleans  the  bowels  and 
thereby  we  get  rid  of  irritating  secretions  and 
also  diminish  congestion  of  the  portal  circulation; 
but  it  is  necessary  to  be  careful  in  selecting  ca- 
thartics, as  drastic  ones  may  do  more  harm  than 
good.  If  there  has  been  diarrhea  for  some  time 
it  is  likely  that  it  has  at  least  removed  all  feces, 
and  a  strong  purgative  will  not  be  necessary,  still 
the  liver  and  portal  circulation  require  stimulat- 
ing. It  is  generally  best  to  give  from  ten  to  fifteen 
grains  of  calomel  and  follow  this  in  six  hours  with 
a  dose  of  castor  oil,  say  from  one  to  two  ounces, 
or  if  there  should  be  much  fever  give  instead  of  the 
oil  one  to  two  ounces  of  epsom  salts  or  the  tartrate 
of  potassium  and  soda.  The  compound  powder  of 
jalap  I  have  found  very  useful  in  from  thirty  to 
forty  grains  at  a  dose.  After  the  physic  operates 
give  one  grain  of  opium,  two  grains  ipecacuanha 
and  two  grains  of  calomel,  made  into  a  pill,  every 
two  hours  until  the  pig  is  easier  or  sleepy.  Ace- 
tate of  lead  ten  grains,  opium  one  to  two  grains, 
given  three  times  a  day  is  very  useful  in  some 
cases.  In  the  advanced  stages  of  the  disease  nitro- 
muriatic  acid  from  five  to  ten  drops,  laudanum  fif- 
teen to  twenty-five  drops,  given  in  a  little  mucilage 
three  times  a  day  or  oftener  if  necessary  is  good. 
Oil  of  turpentine  given  in  emulsion  in  from  ten  to 
twenty  drops,  and  laudanum  fifteen  to  twenty 
drops,  given  three  or  four  times  a  day  is  also  good. 
If  the  animal  is  very  weak  give  two  tablespoonfuls 
of  good  whisky  with  two  to  four  grains  of  quinine 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  53 

in  it  three  or  four  times  a  day.  There  are  a  num- 
ber of  other  remedies  which  can  be  tried,  but  those 
given  above  are  among  the  best.  Injections  are 
sometimes  serviceable.  Tincture  of  opium  one 
teaspooonful,  acetate  of  lead  twenty  grains,  mixed 
in  a  little  starch  gruel  and  repeated  every  three 
hours  is  of  service.  Give  the  pig  starchy  food, 
milk  and  eggs.  There  is  occasionally  a  chronic 
form  of  this  disease,  but  the  treatment  will  be  the 
same  as  second  stage  of  the  acute  form. 

DIARRHEA. 

When  an  animal  is  affected  with  a  discharge  of 
liquid  feces  it  is  called  diarrhea  or,  scours.  This 
affection  is  rather  a  consequence  of  certain  patho- 
logical conditions  than  itself  a  disease.  The  con- 
ditions which  cause  this  derangement  are  various 
and  at  times  even  opposite;  a  simple  increase  of 
the  peristaltic  action  may  produce  it  without  any 
other  cause.  It  is  often  the  result  of  a  great  ex- 
citability of  the  intestines,  causing  a  much  strong- 
er impression  than  they  are  accustomed  to  in 
health,  or  from  an  increase  in  the  amount,  espe- 
cially if  it  is  of  a  stimulating  character,  or  the  in- 
troduction of  irritant  food  or  food  that  undergoes 
fermentation  rapidly.  It  is  often  the  result  of 
some  effete  material  in  the  blood  or  from  increased 
secretion  from  the  liver  or  pancreas;  these  sub- 
stances often  cause  irritation  sufficient  to  cause 
diarrhea.  Debility  of  the  mucous  membrane  may 
allow  the  elimination  of  fluids  into  the  bowel,  and 


54  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

have  the  effect  of  causing  more  contraction  of  the 
muscular  coat.  Young  pigs  are  very  frequently 
attacked  by  diarrhea  from  some  substance  the 
mother  has  eaten.  It  is  also  the  result  of  denti- 
tion. Poverty  of  the  milk  given  by  the  sow,  im- 
proper food,  irregular  feeding,  cold  and  damp 
sties,  sudden  changes  of  temperature,  green  food 
given  to  the  sow  with  litter  when  they  have 
been  too  long  deprived  of  it,  not  infrequently  cause 
it. 

Symptoms:  In  simple  diarrhea  there  is  a  dis- 
charge of  liquid  feces  without  any  constitutional 
disturbance.  The  feces  may  be  passed  without 
any  apparent  pain  or  inconvenience  to  the  animal. 
In  other  cases  the  discharges  are  very  frequent 
and  painful,  which  cause  the  animal  much  dis- 
tress; this  form  is  usually  accompanied  with  fever, 
quick  pulse,  fast  breathing  and  loss  of  appetite  and 
a  tucked-up  appearance  of  the  abdomen,  and  the 
animal  very  soon  becomes  exhausted.  There  is  a 
form  of  diarrhea  which  sometimes  will  be  seen  in 
the  pig,  caused  by  derangement  of  the  liver,  and 
may  be  of  two  kinds:  first  the  form  which  is 
caused  by  an  increase  in  the  secretions  of  bile; 
the  feces  are  liquid  of  a  bright  yellow  color,  at 
other  times  they  will  be  green  from  the  action  of 
acid  in  the  bowel,  and  the  passage  is  accompanied 
by  severe  straining  and  pain  and  usually  vomiting. 
Second  form  differs  from  the  first  in  that  the  pas- 
sages are  black  or  brown  and  of  a  very  unhealthy 
appearance  and   foul-smelling.     In    these    cases 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  55 

the  appetite  is  usually  impaired  and  there  is  con- 
siderable fever.  This  form  of  diarrhea  is  often 
mistaken  for  "hog  cholera."  All  forms  of  diar- 
rhea, if  not  attended  to,  will  soon  so  reduce  the 
pig  that  it  may  die. 

Treatment:  The  treatment  of  this  disease  must 
vary  according  tathe  nature  of  the  derangement. 
When  the  complaint  simply  depends  upon  increased 
peristaltic  action  it  yields  easily  to  a  dose  composed 
of  fifteen  to  twenty  drops  of  tincture  of  opium  and 
the  same  quantity  of  spirits  of  camphor  in  a  little 
water,  repeated  in  two  hours  if  not  relieved.  The 
cause  should  also  be  removed  if  possible.  If  it  is 
caused  by  change  of  food  or  too  much  food  give 
from  one  to  two  ounces  of  castor  oil  and  from  *6ne 
to  five  drops  fluid  extract  of  belladonna;  after  the 
physic  operates  if  the  diarrhea  is  not  checked  give 
a  few  doses  of  opium  and  camphor  usually  one 
dose  of  purgative  medicine  is  enough,  as  harm  is 
often  done  by  purging  too  much.  If  the  pig  has 
been  purged  for  some  time  before  being  treated  it 
will  not  do  to  wait  the  action  of  the  physic,  but 
give  a  dose  of  astringent  medicine  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, such  as  tincture  of  catechu  one  dram,  tinc- 
ture of  opium  twenty  to  twenty-five  drops,  give 
this  in  a  little  starch  gruel  and  repeat  in  two  hours 
if  not  checked.  If  it  is  caused  by  bile  derangement 
give  from  two  to  four  grains  of  calomel  and  twenty 
grains  of  rhubarb  in  a  little  gruel;  follow  this  with 
small  doses,  such  as  one-sixth  of  a  grain  each  of 
calomel,  opium  and  ipecacuanha  in  a  pill  every 
two  hours.     After  the  physic  has  operated  if  the 


56  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

diarrhea  does  not  stop  give  opium  one  grain,  tan- 
nic acid  ten  grains,  in  gruel  repeat  in  two  hours 
if  needed.  When  the  diarrhea  is  accompanied  by 
very  large  watery  passages  and  the  pig  is  weak 
give  opium  one  grain,  acetate  of  lead  five  grains 
repeat  this  in  two  hours  if  needed.  In  the  chronic 
form  of  diarrhea  tonics  and  stimulants  are  called 
for,  such  as  turpentine  in  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
drop  doses  three  times  a  day,  or  sulphuric  acid  in 
from  five  to  ten  drops  three  times  a  day.  Besides 
this  give  a  teaspoonful  each  of  tincture  of  gentian 
and  ginger  in  a  little  water  three  times  daily.  Sul- 
phate of  iron  in  from  five  to  ten  grains  in  a  little 
food  is  also  useful.  Milk  diet  with  two  tablespoon- 
fuls  of  lime  water  in  it  is  very  good.  Well  boiled 
flour  gruel  mixed  with  milk  is  very  fine.  For  older 
pigs  dry,  whole  grain  of  any  sort  will  answer. 

COLIC. 

This  is  not  a  common  disease  in  the  pig,  but  we 
find  a  case  occasionally. 

Causes:  It  is  caused  by  changes  of  food  and  food 
of  an  indigestible  and  fermentative  nature,  cold, 
lying  in  wet  beds,  from  constipation  and  obstruc- 
tions. 

Symptoms:  The  pain  of  colic  occurs  usually  in 
paroxysms  with  an  intermission  of  ease.  The  pig 
is  restless,  shifts  from  place  to  place,  sitting  on  its 
haunches,  twisting  its  head  from  side  to  side,  get- 
ting up,  lying  down,  grunting  or  squealing;  if  the 
pain  is  severe  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen  are  hard 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  57 

and  may  be  rigid;  pressure  on  the  abdomen  will 
ease  the  pain  and  the  pig  will  sometimes  lie  flat  on 
its  belly  for  a  few  minutes.  TLe  pain  often  abates 
suddenly  or  it  may  last  for  hours,  although  it  usu- 
ally yields  to  proper  treatment  If  possible  find 
the  cause.  If  it  is  from  constipation  give  a  dose 
of  castor  oil  and  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  drops 
of  tincture  of  opium  in  it.  If  the  pain  is  very  se- 
vere give  twenty-five  drops  of  the  essence  of  pep- 
permint or  spearmint  dropped  on  sugar,  or  a  tea- 
cupful  of  effusion  of  ginger  or  from  one  to  three 
teaspoonfuls  of  the  compound  tincture  of  lavender. 
One  to  two  teaspoonfuls  of  the  camphorated  tinc- 
ture of  opium  will  usually  be  still  more  efficient; 
any  of  the  above  should  be  repeated  at  intervals  of 
from  one  to  two  hours.  If  it  should  be  very  per- 
sistent give  one-fourth  of  a  grain  of  morphine  hy- 
podermically.  After  the  acute  pain  has  subsided 
give  the  pig  a  dose  of  epsom  salts  to  clean  out  the 
bowels. 

CONSTIPATION. 

This  term  is  applied  to  a  condition  of  the  bowels 
in  which  the  passages  of  feces  are  less  frequent 
and  of  smaller  quantities  than  normal.  If  this 
condition  of  things  lasts  for  a  time  it  will  impair 
the  health. 

Causes:  Sows  and  young  pigs  that  have  been  too 
highly  fed  are  often  troubled  by  constipation.  Pigs 
which  are  confined  in  houses  are  often  the  victims 
of  constipation^  as  exercise  i9  needful  for  the  prop- 


58  DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG. 

■ 

er  performance  of  the  functions  of  the  intestines. 
Food  that  does  not  stimulate  the  bowels  to  con- 
traction, torpidity  of  the  nerves  of  the  intestines, 
and  scant  secretions.  Obstructions  to  the  bowels 
and  mechanical  impediments  will  be  described  un- 
der tJie  head  of  obstructions. 

►Symptoms:  The  animal  is  uneasy,  moves  about, 
strains  and  may  pass  a  small  quantity  of  hard 
feces,  there  will  be  distention  of  the  anus,  the  lump 
will  frequently  be  covered  with  white  or  bloody 
mucus.  If  the  accumulation  should  be  up  the 
bowel  the  animal  may  pass  only  mucus  or  bloody 
mucus,  which  might  be  mistaken  for  dysentery. 
In  a  short  time  if  not  relieved  the  animal  becomes 
dull,  the  appetite  will  be  impaired,  and  in  some 
cases  vomiting  will  occur,  with  severe  sickness, 
which  may  end  in  death  in  a  few  days. 

Effects:  Constipation,  besides  causing  irrita- 
tion, inflammation,  distention,  ulceration,  gan- 
grene and  piles,  deranges  the  neighboring  organs 
by  the  pressure  of  the  accumulated  feces.  It  im- 
pedes the  circulation,  causing  congestion  of  the  va- 
rious organs  and  affecting  the  heart,  brain,  liver 
and  skin.  A  great  number  of  skin  diseases  are  the 
result  of  constipation. 

Treatment:  Give  from  one  to  two  ounces  of  cas- 
tor oil  this  is  a  useful  purge,  being  mild,  sure  and 
quick  in  its  action.  Sulphate  of  magnesia  and 
other  salines,  on  account  of  their  causing  a  great 
increase  in  the  secretions,  are  very  efficient  when 
there  is  an  accumulation  of  hardened  feces.  Senna 
tea.  combined  with  salts  increases  their  activity. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  59 

Cases  may  occur  in  which  a  drastic  purge  will  be 
necessary;  in  such  cases  give  from  two  to  three 
drops  of  croton  oil  in  a  little  castor  oil  or  sweet 
oil.  There  are  a  number  of  other  purgatives  which 
are  useful.  The  compound  cathartic  pill  is  very 
good,  dose  one  to  two  pills.  Injections  of  soap 
and  warm  water  should  not  be  neglected.  After 
an  attack  of  constipation  the  bowel  is  more  or 
less  weakened  and  the  animal  should  have  a  stim- 
ulating tonic,  such  as  five  to  ten  grains  of  sulphate 
of  iron  and  two  to  three  grains  of  nux  vomica  at 
a  dose  three  times  a  day  in  its  food  for  a  week. 
Young  pigs  fed  on  skimmed  milk  should  have  a  lit- 
tle boiled  flaxseed  mixed  in  it,  it  is  very  nutritious 
and  will  prevent  constipation.  It  is  also  good  for 
grown  pigs.  A  teaspoonf ul  of  white  mustard  seed 
and  a  little  hardwood  charcoal  is  a  preventive. 

OBSTRUCTIONS  TO  THE  BOWELS. 

This  term  is  applied  when  some  mechanical  im- 
pediment obstructs  the  passage  of  the  feces. 

Causes:  An  accumulation  of  hard,  impacted 
feces,  the  accumulation  of  hard  substances  such  as 
coal  cinders.  I  have  met  with  several  cases  of  this 
kind  in  which  a  farmer  had  lost  a  pig  and  had  an 
idea  that  it  might  be  "hog  cholera,"  On  post  mor- 
tem I  found  a  portion  of  the  ileum  near  its  entrance 
into  the  cecum  filled  with  cinders  and  that  portion 
of  the  bowel  swollen  and  black,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  but  that  hundreds  of  pigs  die  from  this 
cause.  Solid  concretions  sometimes  form  in  the 
bowel.     There  are  also  strictures  which  take  place, 


60  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

tumors,  and  in  some  cases  organized  bands  across 
the  bowel,  originating  likely  from  the  process  of 
inflammatory  adhesions  of  the  surface  of  the  mu- 
cous membrane  in  consequence  of  the  exudation 
of  coagulated  lymph  and  a  subsequent  separation 
of  these  surfaces,  before  the  lymph  has  become 
quite  consolidated,  so  that  it  is  drawn  out  in  ap- 
parently interlacing  cords.  Twisting  of  the  bowel 
is  still  another  cause  of  obstruction,  invagination 
of  the  bowel  is  a  frequent  cause,  strangulation  by 
the  passing  of  a  portion  of  the  bowel  through  a 
rent  in  the  diaphragm,  mesentery,  etc. 

Symptoms  of  obstructions:  It  may  come  on  sud- 
denly, and  in  such  cases  there  is  great  restlessness, 
vomiting,  straining  to  pass  feces,  with  the  effect 
that  the  abdomen  will  swell  and  the  animal  show 
all  signs  of  inflammation  and  soon  die.  In  other 
cases  it  comes  on  slowly,  the  animal  strains  but 
cannot  pass  feces;  this  continues  in  spite  of  purga- 
tives and  gradually  goes  on  until  the  pig  dies  in 
great  agony. 

Treatment:  Find  the  cause  if  possible  but  this 
is  usually  not  easily  done  in  the  pig.  First  give 
a  dose  of  castor  oil  and  if  this  takes  no  effect  give 
salts  and  senna  or  two  ounces  of  castor  oil  and 
three  drops  of  croton  oil.  When  the  pain  is  severe 
give  one  grain  of  opium  at  a  dose  every  two  hours 
or  one  grain  of  opium  and  half  a  grain  of  calomel 
every  two  hours.  Injections  of  soap  and  warm 
water  should  be  given  every  hour.  If  the  vomit- 
ing is  severe  give  a  drop  or  two  of  wine  of  ipecac. 
Physostigmine  in  doses  of  one-tenth  of  a  grain  and 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOa.  61 

a  sixth  of  a  grain  of  pilocarpine  dissolved  in  a  little 
warm  water  and  administered  liypodermically  will 
sometimes  overcome  obstructions.  Coal  cinders 
should  never  be  given  to  pigs.  Charcoal  and  wood 
ashes  are  safe,  or  better  still,  twenty  pounds  of 
sifted  coal  ashes,  six  pounds  common  salt  and  one 
pound  superphosphate  of  lime,  mix  these  well  to- 
gether and  put  into  a  trough  in  a  convenient  place 
so  that  the  pigs  can  get  at  it  when  they  want  it 

STRICTURE  OF  THE  RECTUH. 

When  there  is  great  straining  and  difficulty  in 
evacuation  stricture  of  the  bowel  may  be  suspect- 
ed, and  it  is  only  after  an  examination  that  the 
cause  is  found.  There  are  several  things  which 
.  may  happen  to  the  bowel  which  would  prevent 
wholly  or  partially  the  evacuation  of  the  feces. 
First,  thickening  or  other  organic  derangements  of 
the  coats  of  the  bowel;  second,  prolapsus  of  the 
rectum;  third,  hard  tumors  and  spasmodic  stric- 
ture. 

Symptoms:  This  affection  is  usually  consider- 
ably advanced  before  it  is  noticed,  when  there  will 
usually  be  constipation,  with  severe  and  painful 
efforts  to  evacuate,  and  nothing  but  a  small  quan- 
tity of  mucus  will  pass.  When  these  symptoms 
are  present  no  time  should  be  lost  in  ascertaining 
the  nature  of  the  derangement.  The  finger  should 
be  oiled  and  introduced;  if  the  cause  is  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  fingers  a  bougie  should  be  used.  When 
it  is  discovered  what  the  ailment  is  it  should  be 


62  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

removed  if  possible;  if  this  cannot  be  done  the 
animal  should  be  destroyed.  If  it  is  from  thicken- 
ing of  the  coats,  and  not  too  far  up,  the  bowel 
should  be  dilated  and  the  enlarged  part  rubbed 
with  a  strong  tincture  of  iodine  twice  a  week.  If 
it  should  be  a  tumor  either  hard  (scirrhus), 
soft,  or  polypus,  it  will  have  to  be  removed  by 
the  knife  or  ligature.  It  is  a  dangerous  operation, 
but  it  is  a  case  of  life  or  death  and  ought  to  be 
tried.  Spasmodic  stricture  is  best  overcome  by 
the  local  use  of  the  fluid  extract  of  belladonna  and 
tincture  of  opium  applied  to  the  inside  of  the  rec- 
tum once  or  twice  a  day.  The  pig  should  have  a 
dose  of  physic,  epsom  salts  is  the  best,  and  the 
feces  kept  soft  by  feeding  on  laxative  food. 

HEnORRHOIDS  OR  PILES. 

This  is  a  term  applied  to  soft  tumors  which  are 
easily  made  bleed;  these  tumors  are  found  in  or 
about  the  anus.  In  cases  where  there  is  no  bleed- 
ing the  affection  is  called  "blind  piles."  The  tu- 
mors are  also  divided  into  internal,  those  which 
are  within  the  anus,  and  external,  those  which  are 
without  the  sphincter.  Hemorrhoidal  tumors  dif- 
fer in  character;  some  are  simple  and  consist  of 
varicose  veins  in  clusters,  forming  something  of  a 
tumor;  these  tumors  are  filled  with  liquid  blood 
and  can  be  easily  squeezed  out;  the  others  are 
harder  and  contain  coagulated  blood;  there  is 
more  or  less  inflammation  present  and  conse- 
quently an  exudation  of  lymph  in  the  contiguous 
parts  and  a  soft,  spongy  tumor  is  usually  the  result. 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  63 

This  derangement  causes  the  animal  great  annoy- 
ance and  at  times  more  or  less  fever,  loss  of  appe- 
tite and  a  falling  off  in  flesh. 

Treatment:  The  pig  should  get  aloes,  ten  to 
fifteen  grains,  calomel,  six  to  eight  grains  when 
this  operates  it  will  relieve  the  congestion  and 
often  cure.  If  not,  open  the  tumor  and  squeeze 
out  the  blood  and  dress  the  part  with  a  mixture  of 
twenty  grains  of  tannic  acid,  one  ounce  glycerine 
and  one  ounce  water  a  little  of  this  should  be  ap- 
plied twice  a  day.  Fifteen  to  twenty  drops  of 
turpentine  at  a  dose  twice  a  day  is  very  useful  bal- 
sam of  copaiba  in  twenty  to  thirty  drops  once  or 
twice  a  day  is  also  good.  Cold  water  injected  sev- 
eral times  a  day  relieves  the  inflammation,  or  a 
teaspoonful  of  cold  water  injected  several  times  a 
day  will  be  found  beneficial.  The  animal  should 
be  fed  on  laxative  food,  compound  liquorice 
powder  is  an  excellent  laxative  in  doses  of  thirty 
to  forty  grains  once  a  day.  There  are  a  number  of 
other  remedies  which  are  useful,  but  the  above  are 
among  the  best. 

PROLAPSUS  ANI. 

This  derangement  is  frequently  met  with  in  the 
pig.  It  is  a  protrusion  of  a  part  of  the  rectum 
caused  by  w^eakness  of  the  muscles  of  the  bowels 
and  is  often  the  result  of  either  constipation  or  se- 
vere diarrhea  and  dysentery  or  whatever  causes  se- 
vere straining.  Jt  is  usually  the  mucous  membrane 
which  protrudes.  If  it  remains  out  for  some  time 
it  swells  and  becomes  of  a  dark  color.    Although 


g4  diseases  op  the  hog. 

it  may  have  been  protruded  for  several  days  it  can 
be  reduced  and  the  animal  recover. 

Treatment:  Bathe  the  protruded  part  for  ten 
minutes  with  warm  water  to  clean  it,  then  bathe 
for  ten  minutes  more  with  a  mixture  of  two  drams 
of  acetate  of  lead,  one  ounce  tincture  of  opium 
and  one  pint  of  water,  then  turn  the  pig  on  its  back 
and  push  in  the  bowel,  give  two  grains  of  opium  to 
relieve  the  straining.  It  may  be  necessary  in  some 
cases  to  put  in  a  stitch  of  catgut  or  silk  thread 
across  the  opening  to  keep  it  from  slipping  out. 
The  pig  should  have  laxative  food  such  as  oatmeal 
gruel  and  if  constipated  give  a  dose  of  castor  oil, 
this  to  be  followed  by  from  two  to  three  drops  of 
the  fluid  extract  of  nux  vomica  three  times  a  day  in 
the  food.  If  it  should  be  impossible  to  keep  it  in  and 
the  parts  become  mortified,  remove  it  with  a  knife 
and  if  necessary  stitch  the  bowel  to  the  margin  of 
the  anus  with  catgut  or  silk  some  cases  of  this 
sort  do  well. 

PERITONITIS  (INFLAMMATION  OF  THE   PERITONEUH.) 

Peritonitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  membrane 
lining  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen,  also  reflected 
over  the  bowels. 

Cause:  Chills,  operations,  especially  after  the 
operation  of  castration,  injuries  such  as  kicks  or 
blows  from  horses  and  the  result  of  difficult  par- 
turition. The  disease  is  an  ordinary  result  of 
strangulation  of  the  bowels.  It  is  also  caused  by 
foreign  bodies  penetrating  through  the  walls  of 
the  intestine 


DlgEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  65 

Peritonitis  sometimes  comes  on  in  the  course  of 
other  diseases,  particularly  hog  cholera,  which  it 
brings  to  a  rapid,  fatal  issue. 

Symptoms:  The  disease  is  ushered  in  with  a 
chill,  there  is  great  pain,  the  animal  moves  about 
in  a  very  stiff  manner  and  suffers  intense  pain,  the 
abdomen  is  very  tender  to  the  touch  and  although 
it  might  be  slight  it  will  make  the  animal  squeal. 
The  muscles  of  the  abdomen  are  contracted  which 
gives  the  animal  a  tucked  up  appearance,  there  is 
usually  some  tympanitis  which  makes  the  muscles 
swell  upwards  and  arches  the  back,  the  bowels  are 
usually  constipated  and  the  urine  is  scanty  and 
high  colored,  vomiting  is  very  often  present  and  it 
causes  the  animal  great  pain  and  increases  the  in- 
flammation and  should  be  prevented,  the  pulse  is 
very  frequent,  small  and  wiry,  from  110  to  110  or 
more  per  minute,  the  breathing  is  short  and  fast 
and  there  is  a  marked  expression  of  distress  char- 
acterized by  the  contraction  of  the  muscles  of  the 
face.  The  cause  of  peritonitis  is  generally  rapid, 
and  in  fatal  cases  the  animal  usually  dies  within 
twenty-four  hours,  but  in  some  few  cases  it  may 
run  for  one  or  even  two  wrecks.  When  the  fatal 
termination  approaches,  the  pain  suddenlr  sub- 
sides or  ceases  altogether  and  the  animal  may  lie 
perfectly  quiet ;  at  this  stage  the  pulse  is  very  small 
or  may  be  imperceptible,  the  legs  are  cold  and  the 
skin  of  the  body  is  usually  of  a  purple  color,  green 
or  black  matter  will  often  be  vomited,  coma  or 
convulsions  take  place  and  the  animal  soon  dies. 


66  DiseaSp]S  op  the  hog. 

If  a  favorable  termination  is  indicated  the  pain 
will  gradually-  subside,  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen 
and  face  relax,  the  animal  becomes  brighter  and 
takes  notice  of  things  around,  it,  the  pulse  is  less 
frequent  and  stronger,  the  breathing  becomes 
more  regular  and  the  animal  either  lies  quiet  or 
may  begin  to  move  about  looking  for  food.  In  the 
greater  number  of  cases  when  they  begin  to  im- 
prove they  make  a  complete  recovery. 

Post  mortem  appearance:  In  cases  which  die 
early  in  the  attack  the  only  morbid  appearance 
will  be  a  dark  redness  with  more  or  less  swelling 
of  the  membrane  and  may  be  black  or  blue  in  spots. 
In  cases  of  long  duration  there  will  always  be  more 
or  less  fibrous  exudation  upon  the  surface  of  the 
membrane  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  free 
liquid  in  the  cavity.  In  some  cases  the  fibrous 
exudation  may  become  organized  and  join  the 
other  portion  on  the  opposite  side.  The  mem- 
brane may  be  somewhat  of  a  dull  white  color,  but 
in  the  majority  of  cases  it  will  be  found  of  yellow- 
ish turbid  or  dirty  brown  color  and  often  milky, 
seropurulent  or  bloody.  In  some  cases  pus  is 
found  in  pouches  of  the  false  membrane.  The 
neighboring  organs  are  more  or  less  implicated. 

Treatment:  A  dose  of  castor  oil  or  sulphate  of 
magnesium  should  be  given  to  clean  out  the 
bowels.  If  the  stomach  will  not  retain  the  oil  or 
salts  give  ten  to  twelve  grains  of  calomel  in  pills 
the  physic  will  act  as  a  revulsant  besides  remov- 
ing secretions  and  stimulating  the  portal  system. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  67 

This  should  be  followed  by  from  two  to  three  drops 
of  the  fluid  extract  of  veratrum  viride  every  hour 
until  the  pulse  is  reduced  in  force  and  frequency. 
If  there  is  a  tendency  to  vomit  give  one  grain  of 
opium.  To  relieve  pain  and  keep  up  the  action  of 
the  mercury  give  one  or  two  grains  of  opium  and 
two  to  four  grains  of  calomel  tw^ice  a  day.  If  all 
medicine  is  rejected  by  the  stomach  give  onetotwo 
drops  of  the  wine  of  ipecacuanha  every  two  hours 
and  give  injections  of  warm  water  to  empty  the 
bowel,  then  inject  two  drams  of  laudanum  mixed 
in  starch  gruel  repeat  this  every  two  hours.  Mus- 
tard made  up  with  boiling  water  and  well  rubbed 
into  the  skin  of  the  abdomen  or  hot  fomentations 
may  be  of  use.  If  the  disease  does  not  yield  to 
the  above  treatment  in  two  or  three  days  it  will  be 
necessary  to  have  recourse  to  mercurial  impres- 
sion this  is  best  done  by  giving  from  two  to  four 
grains  of  calomel  combined  with  half  a  grain  of 
opium  every  four  hours  until  the  animal  is  sali- 
vated. When  the  acute  stage  has  passed  the  ani- 
mal should  have  stimulants  beat  up  eggs  and  put 
in  a  tablespoonf  ul  of  whisky  or  brandy  and  give  it 
frequently.  If  the  pulse  becomes  very  weak  give 
aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  in  teaspoonful  doses 
every  two  hours  it  should  be  taken  in  a  little  cold 
water.  Later  turpentine  in  doses  of  from  ten  to 
fifteen  drops  three  times  a  day  will  be  found  very 
useful.  Feed  on  well  boiled  oatmeal  gruel  cooled 
by  good  fresh  milk. 


68 


DISEASES    OF   THE   HOG. 


Fio.141. 


Liver  of  a  Hog — posterior  view,  a,  Eight  external 
lobe;  b,  Eight  internal  lobe;  c,  Left  external  lobe; 
d,  Left  internal  lobe;  e,  Spigelian  lobe;  f,  Poster- 
ior cava;  g,  Quadrate  lobe;  h,  Gall  bladder;  i,  Cys- 
tic duct;  k,  Ductus  Choledochus. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  69 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  LIVER  OF  THE  PIG. 

The  liver  of  the  pig  consists  of  four  chief  lobes: 
a  right  and  left  external,  a  right  and  left  internal, 
a  small  quadrate  and  a  spigelian  lobe.  The  gall- 
bladder is  large  and  is  attached  to  the  internal 
lobe  by  cellular  tissue.  Diseases  of  the  liver  are 
quite  common  in  the  pig,  but  they  are  so  difficult 
to  diagnbse  that  they  are  ouh^  discovered  on  post 
mortem.  Diseases  of  this  organ  are  very  often  as- 
sociated with  other  diseases.  By  careful  observa- 
tion and  practice  a  few  of  them  can  be  determined 
in  the  living  pig. 

HEPATITIS.    (INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  LIVER.) 

Inflammation  may  affect  the  substance  of  the 
liver,  its  investing  peritoneal  membrane,  or  both, 
and  may  involve  the  whole  organ  or  only  a  part 
of  it. 

Causes:  Changes  of  temperature,  such  as  from 
cold  to  heat,  injuries,  and  the  result  of  other  dis- 
eases. It  often  occurs  in  high-bred  pigs  as  a  re- 
sult of  feeding  with  an  excessive  amount  of  stimu- 
lating food  and  w^ant  of  exercise  and  is  most  com- 
monly met  with  in  hot  weather. 


70  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

Symptoms:  The  animal  appears  dull,  refuses 
food,  if  made  to  move  will  go  stiffly  and  may  be 
lame  in  the  right  fore  leg;  there  will  be  tenderness 
on  pressure  over  the  ribs  on  the  right  side  which 
will  not  be  the  case  if  pressure  should  be  applied 
to  the  left.  There  will  sometimes  be  a  yellowness 
of  the  visible  mucous  membrane  and  of  the  skin. 
The  functions  of  the  liver  are  arrested,  thus  the  se- 
cretions of  bile  are  not  carried  on  and  on  this  ac- 
count the  bowels  become  torpid,  and  the  feces  of  a 
chocolate  color.  Sometimes  they  are  affected  by 
looseness  and  the  feces  are  generally  unhealthy, 
evinced  by  an  excess  or  deficiency  or  perverted 
state  of  the  bile.  There  is  usually  a  cough  which 
may  arise  from  the  pressure  of  the  liver  against 
the  lungs  or  from  sympathy.  The  urine  is  high 
colored  and  scanty,  the  respiration  is  somewhat 
impeded  and  is  short  and  jerky,  the  pulse  is  soft 
weak  and  frequent.  With  these  symptoms  and 
the  absence  of  other  diseases  we  may  conclude  that 
we  have  a  case  of  hepatitis.  There  is  a  chronic 
form  of  this  disease  which  I  have  met  with  in  pigs. 
The  symptoms  are  a  dry,  scurfy  skin,  with  an  un- 
thrifty appearance,  in  the  majority  of  cases  there 
will  be  a  diffused  yellowness  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane; the  animal  falls  off  from  condition  and  has 
a  disinclination  to  move  about; the  pulse  and  respi- 
ration are  unaffected;  the  feces  are  of  a  dry  clay 
color  and  the  urine  is  usually  scanty  and  high  col- 
ored of  a  deep  yellow  color.  Hepatitis  is  so  fruit- 
ful a  source  of  other  morbid  affections  that  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  its  treatment. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  71 

Treatment:  In  acute  hepatitis  when  the  pulse  Is 
full  and  strong,  the  pig  should  get  a  dose  of  from 
one  to  two  ounces  epsom  salts  to  act  as  a  revulsant 
by  depleting  the  system  and  indirectly  relieving 
the  portal  veins.  Mercurials  are  especially  indi- 
cated in  consequence  of  their  property  of  increas- 
ing the  hepatic  secretions  and  thereby  directly  un- 
loading the  congested  vessels  of  the  liver.  For 
this  purpose  give  from  five  to  fifteen  grains  of  calo- 
mel, this  should  be  followed  by  a  dose  of  effusion 
of  one  ounce  senna  leaves;  after  the  physic  has 
operated  freely  give  three  grains  of  calomel  morn- 
ing and  evening  for  a  few  days.  If  there  is  much 
pain  add  one  grain  of  opium  to  the  calomel;  also 
give  from  ten  to  fifteen  grains  of  nitrate  of  potas- 
sium twice  a  day  to  keep  the  kidneys  active.  In 
the  chronic  form  give  one  to  two  ounces  castor  oil 
and  after  this  has  operated  give  from  ten  to  fifteen 
drops  of  nitro-muriatic  acid  three  times  a  day  in  a 
little  water.  To  improve  the  appetite  give  a  tea- 
spoonful  each  of  tincture  of  gentian  and  ginger 
and  two  grains  of  quinine  at  a  dose  in  water  three 
times  a  day.  If  the  bowels  are  inclined  to  be  con- 
stipated give  ten  grains  of  aloes  at  a  dose  at  night. 
There  are  a  number  of  other  diseases  of  the  liver 
which  are  not  easily  detected  during  the  life  of  the 
animal,  and  may  be  taken  for  chronic  hepatitis, 
such  as  hypertrophy;  this  is  an  overgrowth  of  the 
organ,  and  in  some  few  cases  can  be  diagnosed  by 
a  bulging  of  the  right  side  of  the  animal.  It  may 
not  affect  the  health  of  the  animal  for  some  time, 


72  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

but  sooner  or  later  the  structure  of  the  liver  be- 
comes impaired. 

Atrophy.  This  is  exactly  the  reverse  of  hyper- 
trophy and  very  soon  deranges  the  system,  causing 
death. 

Induration.  The  liver  often  acquires  an  in- 
crease in  its  density  and  hardness  from  depositions 
or  new  formations  in  its  substance. 

Softening.  This  is  often  the  result  of  inflamma- 
tory action,  but  it  may  also  occur  without  this 
cause. 

Fatty  liver.  This  is  an  adipose  degeneration  of 
the  liA^er,  which  usually  increases  in  size.  The 
weight  is  not  increased  in  a  degree  corresponding 
to  the  enlargement.  The  characteristic  hue  of 
fatty  liver  is  a  pale  yellow  or  cream  color,  diversi- 
fied by  brownish,  orange  or  reddish  spots.  It  is 
softer  than  a  healthy  liver.  When  cut  it  has  a 
brownish  or  pale  yellow  color,  which  is  usually 
modified  by  innumerable  red  spots.  It  has  a 
greasy  feeling  between  the  fingers. 

Waxy  liver.  Pathologists  now  believe  it  to  be 
the  result  of  a  peculiar  degeneration  or  deposition 
having  no  resemblance  whatever  to  fatty  matter. 
The  liver  is  much  enlarged  and  at  the  same  time 
denser  than  in  health.  It  is  usually  of  a  pale  or 
fawn  color,  but  sometimes  red  from  congestion. 
It  is  tough  in  texture,  and  when  cut  presents  a  uni- 
form compact,  smooth,  somewhat  shining  or  trans- 
lucent surface,  pale  or  yellow,  and  not  unlike  the 
rind  of  bacon  or  yellow  wax.     (Wood.) 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  73 

Serous  Cysts  and  Hydatids.  This  is  a  common 
disease  in  the  pig  as  well  as  in  the  other  domestic 
animals.  I  have  seen  a  great  many  cases  of  it. 
The  cysts  consist  of  sacs  containing  watery  fluid. 
There  are  two  kinds,  one  consisting  of  a  single  sac, 
the  other  of  a  sac  containing  within  it  one  or  more 
sacs.  There  ma}'  be  only  a  few  cysts  scattered 
over  the  liver,  or  in  bad  cases  it  may  have  the  ap- 
pearance of  being  converted  into  cysts,  filling  the 
whole  liver.  These  cysts  contain  a  parasite  called 
a  hydatid  the  origin  of  which  is  uncertain.  When 
upon  the  surface  of  the  liver  they  may  break  and 
cause  peritonitis  b}^  the  escape  of  their  contents, 
producing  death.  An  animal  may  be  affected 
with  this  trouble  for  a  long  time  and  the  health  re- 
main good,  as  I  have  found  them  in  the  liver  of  pigs 
that  have  been  killed  for  food,  and  they  did  not 
seem  to  have  affected  them  in  any  way.  On  the 
other  hand  I  have  examined  pigs  that  had  died, 
and  found  the  liver  in  a  morbid  condition,  having 
undergone  a  number  of  changes  affecting  the 
health  of  the  animal  sujficiently  to  cause  death. 

JAUNDICE. 

This  is  not  a  common  disease  in  the  pig.  It  is 
characterized  by  a  yellowish  color  of  the  skin,  eyes 
and  urine.  It  is  the  result  of  absorption  of  bile 
into  the  tissues  of  the  body,  and  is  usually  easily 
remedied  in  the  young  animal. 

Symptoms:  There  is  usually  loss  of  appetite, 
dulness,  sometimes  vomiting,  and  other  signs  of 
deranged  digestion,  soon  the  feces  become  of  a 


74  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

clay  color,  and  the  membrane  of  the  eyes  becomes 
yellow,  and  if  there  is  white  hair  the  skin  will  be 
yellow,  then  it  gradually  becomes  dark  and  re- 
mains in  that  condition  for  a  few  days  or  some- 
times weeks,  then  it  begins  to  disappear.  The 
bowels  are  usually  constipated  and  the  urine 
of  a  deep  yellow  color.  In  the  great  majority  of 
cases  there  is  not  much  fever  and  the  animal  is 
usually  well  in  two  weeks. 

Treatment:  It  is  not  easy  to  find  the  cause  in 
the  pig,  but  nearly  all  cases  of  jaundice  require 
medicine  to  eliminate  the  bile  from  the  system.  It 
is  therefore  necessary  to  clean  out  the  bowels,  and 
this  is  best  accomplished  by  giving  from  one  to  two 
ounces  epsom  salts;  after  this  has  operated  give 
three  grains  of  calomel  at  a  dose  three  times  a  day 
for  three  days.  Then  give  one  ounce  castor  oil 
and  half  an  ounce  of  turpentine,  to  be  followed  by 
ten  drop  doses  of  nitro-muriatic  acid. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  75 


CHAPTER  VIL 
HERNIA.    (RUPTURE.) 

Hernia  is  the  rupture  of  the  walls  of  any  organ, 
but  is  most  frequently  applied  to  a  protrusion  of 
the  bowel  through  an  opening,  whether  natural  or 
artificial.  Hernii  are  classified  according  to  their 
position.  The  ones  most  commonly  found  in  the 
pig  are  umbilical  and  scrotal  hernia.  The  former 
is  not  often  seen  in  the  pig  and  is  usually  congeni- 
tal and  makes  its  appearance  at  birth  or  if  not 
then,  shortly  after.  It  consists  of  a  protrusion  of 
omentum  or  intestine  through  the  umbilicus,  and 
is  caused  by  a  nonclosure  of  the  navel  opening. 

Symptoms:  There  will  be  a  bunch  at  the  navel 
opening,  soft  to  the  touch  and  fluctuating,  and  if 
pressed  upon  will  pass  into  the  opening,  to  return 
as  soon  as  the  pressure  is  removed.  It  does  not  in- 
convenience the  animal  as  long  as  it  does  not  be- 
come strangulated,  which  it  seldom  does,  and  if 
not  increasing  in  size  it  is  better  not  to  meddle 
with  it,  but  if  it  is  growing  larger  the  sooner  it  is 
reduced  the  better.  I  have  seen  cases  in  the  pig  in 
which  it  became  so  large  as  to  trail  on  the  ground, 
and  such  cases  cannot  be  successfully  treated. 

Treatment:  Turn  the  animal  on  its  back  and 
press  the  intestine  in;  when  this  is  done  pass  a 


76  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

skewer  through  the  skin  close  to  the  walls  of  the 
abdomen ;  then  tie  a  cord  around  the  skin  between 
the  skewer  and  the  walls  of  the  abdomen;  the  cord 
should  be  tied  tight  enough  to  stop  the  circulation, 
but  not  tight  enough  to  cut  too  soon  into  the  skin. 
It  will  be  better  to  tie  on  a  second  one  on  the  third 
day  than  to  tie  the  first  one  too  tight  This  method 
causes  an  outpouring  of  serum  which  fills  up  the 
opening,  and  in  two  weeks'  time  it  becomes  organ- 
ized and  the  cure  is  complete. 

SCROTAL   HERNIA. 

This  form  is  where  the  intestines  have  passed 
into  the  scrotum  or  pouch  through  an  opening  or 
canal  leading  from  the  abdomen  to  the  scrotum. 
In  some  cases  in  young  animals  this  canal  is  large, 
thus  allowing  the  intestines  to  escape  through  it 
into  the  pouch. 

Symptoms:  The  scrotum  will  be  larger  than 
natural,  and  when  pressed  upon  it  will  be  soft  and 
doughy. 

Treatment:  Place  the  animal  on  its  back  and 
press  the  intestines  into  the  abdominal  cavity, 
draw  up  the  scrotum  and  testicles  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, then  put  on  a  wooden  clamp  below  the  tes- 
ticles, let  the  clamp  remain  on  until  it  sloughs  oif 
and  by  that  time  the  opening  will  be  closed  a  plain 
clamp,  no  caustic  is  needed.  If  much  swelling 
should  take  place  bathe  with  hot  water,  and  after 
each  bathing  use  a  little  of  the  following  lotion: 
acetate  of  lead,  half  an  ounce,  sulphate  of  zinc,  half 
an  ounce,  water,  one  quart. 


DISEASES    O^    THE    HO(J. 


11 


PLATE  52 


Figuife  49. 


Figure  52. 


Figure  49.— Pork  "measles;"  natural  size;  Hearth  and 
Home,  after  Owen. 

Figure  50. — Young  tape-worm  from  measles  of  pork;  and 
Fig.  51,  head  of  same,  more  enlarged;  Hearth  and  Home,  after 
Owen. 

Figure  52.— Pork  tape-worm  (Tenia  solium),  l«'ss  than  na- 
tural size  ;  Hearth  and  Home,  after  Owen. 


7^  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

THE  INTERNAL  PARASITES  OF  THE  PIQ. 

The  parasites  of  the  pig  are  so  intimately  con- 
nected with  those  of  the  human  being  that  there  is 
no  doubt  but  that  in  certain  stages  of  their  de- 
velopment nearly  all  the  most  dangerous  kinds 
are  derived,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  from  the 
hog  to  mankind,  and  in  return  man  furnishes  to 
the  hog  the  eggs  of  several  of  their  worst  parasites. 
Some  of  these  worms  are  kept  in  existence  solely 
by  reason  of  the  peculiar  relations  existing  be- 
tween man  and  the  domestic  animals.  This  is 
the  case  particularly  in  respect  to  the  most  com- 
mon, tape-worm,  of  men,  derived  respectively 
from  the  flesh  of  cattle  and  hogs  when  imperfectly 
cooked.  Measly  pork  should  be  avoided  as  unfit 
for  food  unless  thoroughly  cooked,  yet  such  pork 
has  been  eaten  when  it  was  badly  infested  with 
measles.  It  can  be  easily  known  by  its  spawn-like 
appearance.  In  this  country  a  very  large  propor- 
tion of  the  hogs  not  only  harbor  this  entozoon,  but 
also  the  common  lung-strongle. 

GENERAL   OBSERVATIONS. 

Worms,  sometimes  on  account  of  their  move- 
ments and  the  interruption  they  offer  to  the  con- 
tents of  the  bowels,  and  their  other  modes  of  irri- 
tation, very  often  cause  uneasiness  and  pain. 
From  sympathy  there  is  very  frequent  sensation  of 
itching  at  the  anus  and  nose,  producing  a  disposi- 
tion to  scratch  or  rub  the  root  of  the  tail  and  poke 
the  nose  into  the  ground.     This  is  a  very  common 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  79 

symptom  of  worms.  The  bowels  are  sometimes 
constipated  and  at  others  relaxed  with  straining 
and  mucous  or  blood  discharges;  the  mucus  w^hich 
is  passed  may  be  in  shreds,  which  are  sometimes 
mistaken  for  fragments  of  half  digested  worms. 
They  also  interfere  with  digestion,  both  of  the 
stomach  and  intestines,  which  is  indicated  by  un- 
digested food  in  the  feces.  The  appetite  is  very 
variable  it  may  be  natural  in  some  cases  and  in 
others  deficient,  depraved  or  craving  usually  the 
animal  has  a  ravenous  appetite,  eating  material 
which  it  would  not  touch  in  health.  Bleeding 
from  the  nose,  cough  and  swelling  of  the  lips  are 
also  symptoms.  The  effects  of  worms  frequently 
extend  beyond  the  alimentary  canal.  Among  the 
most  common  of  these  affections  are  derangement 
of  the  nervous  system,  such  as  vertigo,  chorea  and 
fits,  obstinate  cough,  swelling  of  glottis,  dyspnea 
and  palpitation.  They  also  cause  some  fever  and 
loss  of  flesh  and  several  skin  diseases.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  diagnose  a  case  of  worms,  as  the  above 
symptoms  may  be  caused  from  indigestion.  A 
new  means  of  detecting  them  is  by  the  microscope; 
even  if  there  are  no  fragments  of  the  worms  pres- 
ent in  the  feces  their  eggs  can  be  detected.  Sus- 
pected cases  ought  to  be  examined  by  the  micro- 
scope, and  if  the  examiner  is  acquainted  with  the 
character  of  the  ova  this  will  decide  the  case. 

Causes  of  worms:  There  has  been  a  great  contro- 
versy on  this  subject,  but  no  doubt  the  parasites 
obey  the  general  law  of  nature  in  their  develop- 
ment   and  growth.     It  is  probable  that  the  ova 


80  tH^EASES    OF    THE    HO^. 

which  are  received  into  the  alimentary  canal  are 
capable  of  development,  in  a  healthy  state  of  this 
structure,  as  worms  are  sometimes  found  in  the 
stomach  and  intestine  of  the  hog.  There  are  cer- 
tain conditions  of  these  organs  which  are  favor- 
able for  the  breeding  of  worms,  such  as  indiges- 
tion, the  accumulation  of  undigested  food  and  of 
mucus  and  diseases  of  the  intestine.  The  kind 
of  food  the  animal  eats  in  a  raw  condition  contain- 
ing the  ova  of  worms  makes  the  pig  more  liable 
to  worms  than  other  animals.  All  kinds  of  vege- 
table and  animal  food  should  be  cooked:  grains 
can  be  eaten  raw  with  impunity;  hogs  should 
not  be  allowed  to  eat  diseased  meat  unless  it  has 
been  thoroughly  cooked.  I  have  knowm  healthy 
pigs  which  w^ere  given  the  flesh  of  animals  that 
died  from  disease  to  become  badly  affected  with 
worms. 

THORN=HEADED  WORHS. 

Figure  74. 


Figure  74. — This  worm  is  quite  frequently  found 
in  the  intestines  of  pigs;  it  is  easily  known  by  the 
peculiar  proboscis  which  bears  several  circles  of 
small  but  sharp  hooks.  They  locate  usually  in  the 
small  intestines  of  the  pig,  where  they  fasten  them- 
selves by  means  of  the  spiny  proboscis  mentioned 
above,  this  being  pushed  into  the  lining  membrane 
of  the  intestine;  in  some  cases  they  bore  through 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  81 

this  and  migrate  to  other  parts  of  the  body,  where 
their  presence  causes  great  disturbance.  The 
eggs  of  this  worm  pass  from  the  hog  and  are 
eaten  by  the  grubs  of  certain  large  beetles;  in  the 
stomach  of  these  grubs  the  eggs  develop  into  em- 
bryos, or  rather  the  embryos  already  developed 
are  set  free  and  bore  through  the  intestine  and  lo- 
cate themselves  in  the  body  of  the  grub.  Here  they 
become  encysted  and  remain  dormant  until  the 
grub  is  eaten  by  the  pig  and  then  once  in  the  stom- 
ach or  intestine  of  this  animal  it  develops  into  a 
worm  at  once.  The  color  of  this  worm  is  white  or 
bluish  w^hite,  the  female  being  from  five  to  twenty 
inches  in  length,  while  the  male  is  from  three  to 
five  inches  long.  The  female  is  very  prolific,  pro- 
ducing immense  numbers  of  eggs,  which  are  of  a 
somewhat  oblong-oval  shape. 

Symptoms:  Pigs  may  have  a  number  of  these 
worms  without  their  causing  any  noticeable  de- 
rangement; on  the  other  hand  they  often  derange 
the  digestion  and  assimilation,  causing  loss  of 
flesh  and  a  general  unhealthy  appearance.  The 
animal  is  usually  hungry  and  may  eat  large  quan- 
tities of  food  and  yet  remain  thin.  When  a  pig  has 
such  symptoms  with  the  absence  of  any  other  ail- 
ment we  may  suspect  that  worms  are  the  cause. 
In  very  bad  cases  the  pig  becomes  weak  in  the  loins 
and  the  membrane  in  the  corners  of  the  eyes 
swollen,  red  and  watery;  the  animal  suffers  pain, 
which  is  indicated  by  it  continually  grunting  or 
squealing;  such  hogs  are  usually  bad  tempered 
and  will  bite  and  snarl  at  the  other  pigs.    In  some 


82  DISEASES    OF    THE    IIOO. 

cases  the  weakness  increases  and  the  animal  is 
unable  to  stand  and  soon  dies. 

Treatment:  This  worm  is  easily  removed  by 
medicine.  I  have  had  good  results  from  the  fol- 
lowing: Give  half  an  ounce  of  the  fluid  extract  of 
spigelia  and  senna  at  a  dose  every  four  hours  until 
purging  takes  place,  or  thirty  grains  of  koosin  as 
a  pill;  one  dose  of  this  is  usually  sufficient  An- 
other good  remedy  is  to  beat  up  two  ounces  of 
pumpkin  seeds  into  a  pulp  with  sugar  and  give 
at  one  dose;  this  should  be  followed  in  four  hours 
with  a  brisk  physic,  castor  oil  or  epsom  salts.  San- 
tonine  is  also  useful  in  from  three  to  five  grain 
doses  made  into  a  pill.  Chenopodie  oleum  (worm 
seed  oil)  in  from  twenty  to  thirty  drops  may  be 
given  in  a  little  syrup,  followed  in  two  hours  by  a 
purge.  These  medicines  should  be  given  on  an 
empty  stomach.  If  the  animal  has  become  very 
weak  the  strength  should  be  kept  up  by  stimulants 
such  as  small  doses  of  whisky  and  cod-liver  oil,  or 
whisky  and  eggs;  and  if  there  is  fever  two  to  four 
grains  of  quinine  should  be  given  at  a  dose  three 
times  a  day. 

OXURIS  VERMICULARIS  (PIN  WORM.) 

Figure  78. 


Figure  78. — The  seat  of  this  worm  is  the  rectum, 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  83 

but  they  are  sometimes  found  in  the  colon  and 
have  been  seen  in  the  stomach;  on  this  account  they 
have  been  called  the  maw  worm.  They  are  usually 
about  half  an  inch  long  and  white  in  color;  they 
multiply  very  rapidly;  their  eggs  are  very  small 
and  are  often  deposited  on  the  grass  and  may  be 
washed  into  the  streams  or  ponds  of  water  and 
in  this  way  enter  the  stomach  and  bowels.  They 
are  found  in  all  the  higher  animals. 

Symptoms:  They  usually  cause  itching  at  the 
root  of  the  tail  or  by  reflex  action  cause  derange- 
ment of  other  parts  of  the  body.  Though  produc- 
tive of  great  annoyance  and  even  suffering,  they 
do  not  usually  injure  the  health  of  the  animal. 

Treatment:  Clean  out  the  rectum  by  injections 
of  warm  water.  Infuse  two  ounces  of  quassia  chips 
in  a  pint  of  boiling  water  and  when  cool  inject  it 
into  the  rectum;  repeat  in  a  week  if  necessary.  A 
brisk  purge  will  often  wash  out  a  number  of  them. 

TRECOCEPHALUS  DISPAR  (LONG  THREAD  WORM.) 

This  worm  is  found  most  frequently  in  some  part 
of  the  colon  and  cecum,  but  sometimes  in  the  small 
intestines,  either  loose  or  with  its  anterior  capil- 
lary portion  inserted  into  the  mucous  membrane. 
It  is  often  observed  in  great  numbers  in  animals 
that  have  died  from  some  acute  disease.  I  have 
found  numbers  of  these  worms  partially  buried  in 
the  mucous  membrane,  but  they  did  not  seem  to 
have  caused  much  disturbance.  They  are  about 
half  an  inch  to  one  inch  and  a  half  long  and  about 
as  thick  as  a  common  thread,  and  are  very  active 


84  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

in  their  motion.  From  experiments  that  have  been 
made  it  appears  that  the  ova  are  never  developed 
in  the  animal  body,  but  being  discharged  with  the 
feces  retain  their  vitality  for  a  long  time,  and  if 
placed  in  water  become  at  the  end  of  about  eight 
months  and  a  half  developed  into  embryos,  about 
one  three-hundredth  of  an  inch  in  length.  It  is 
probable  that  these  are  carried  by  the  rain  and 
other  means  into  streams,  wells,  etc.,  whence  the 
drinking  water  is  derived  and  thus  they  become 
fully  developed.  There  are  no  particular  symp- 
toms by  which  we  can  detect  this  worm  from  oth- 
ers during  the  life  of  the  animal,  and  the  treatment 
would  be  the  same  as  for  the  thorn-headed  worm. 
Very  often  when  worm  medicine  is  given  a  variety 
of  worms  will  be  discharged  at  the  same  time. 

ASCARIS  SUILLA  (ROUND  WORM.) 

This  is  a  round,  smooth  worm  of  considerable 
size;  the  male  usually  reaches  when  fully  devel- 
oped six  inches,  and  the  female  may  be  twice  that 
length.  This  worm  usually  does  no  harm  when 
there  are  only  a  few  present.  The  animal  will  like- 
ly keep  in  good  health,  but  when  they  are  numer- 
ous they  will  disturb  digestion  and  cause  colicky 
pains,  loss  of  flesh,  dry  hair,  morbid  appetite,  rest- 
lessness and  nervous  twitching,  and  in  some  cases 
fits.  Cases  are  recorded  in  which  they  worked 
through  the  walls  of  the  intestines  and,  reaching 
some  of  the  other  organs  of  the  body  caused  death. 
This  worm  generally  inhabits  the  small  intestine, 
but  not  infrequently  finds  its  way  forward  to  the 


DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG.  85 

stomach  or  backwards  to  the  rectum  and  some- 
times escapes  from  the  intestine  through  the  anus. 
This  worm  has  also  been  found  in  the  biliary  duct, 
gall  bladder  and  the  substance  of  the  liver.  There 
has  been  a  number  of  experiments  made  to  find  the 
origin  of  this  worm,  and  it  is  found  that  the  eggs 
of  this  worm  are  passed  from  the  bowel.  They  re- 
tain their  vitality  for  a  long  time;  they  appear 
never  to  be  developed  in  the  bowels,  but  when  dis- 
charged and  kept  in  water  they  begin  to  show  signs 
of  life  and  in  about  seven  months  contain  embryo 
worms  one  one  hundred  and  twentieth  of  an  inch 
in  length.  These  have  not  been  seen  to  break  shell 
but  the  ova  carried  into  streams,  ponds  and  wells 
sometimes  probably  find  an  entrance  into  the  stom- 
ach with  the  drinking  water,  when  the  embryo  es- 
capes from  its -shell  and  completes  its  growth  in 
the  intestine. 

Treament:  The  best  remedy  for  this  worm  is 
the  fluid  extract  of  spigelia  and  senna  given  in 
half  ounce  doses  every  four  hours  until  it  causes 
purging.  Worm  seed  oil  (chenopodium)  in  doses 
of  from  five  to  ten  drops  given  in  a  tablespoonful 
of  castor  oil  is  also  good.  Turpentine  in  doses  of 
from  fifteen  to  twenty  drops  three  times  a  day  fol- 
lowed by  castor  oil  or  epsom  salts  is  useful.  The 
cedar  apple,  an  excrescence  found  on  the  red  cedar 
has  been  used  with  good  results  in  doses  of  from 
twenty  to  twenty-five  grains  of  the  powder,  re- 
peated three  times  a -day,  followed  by  a  physic. 


m 


86  DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG. 

SPIROPTERA  STRONQYLINE— RUD. 

There  are  a  number  of  small,  whitish  or  reddish 
round  worms  which  taper  somewhat  towards  the 
anterior  end,  or  towards  both  ends.  The  head  is 
small  with  small  papillae  or  naked  ;the  male  grows 
to  about  half  an  inch  long  or  more;  the  female  one- 
third  of  an  inch  or  more;  it  lives  in  the  stomach  of 
the  pig,  but  generally  does  not  produce  any  serious 
disease.  The  fluid  extract  of  spigelia  and  senna  in 
half  ounce  doses  given  every  four  hours  until  purg- 
ing ensues  usually  dislodges  them. 

SCLEROSTOTUM  DENTaTUM  (DIESINQ.) 

This  is  a  small  worm  living  in  the  intestines  of 
swine.  The  male  is  about  one  third  of  an  inch  long ; 
the  female  half  an  inch  long;  the  body  is  of  a  dark 
color  and  the  surface  is  finely  marked  with  trans- 
verse striae.  It  is  quite  slender  and  tapering  at 
each  end,  but  the  male  has  near  the  tail  a  three- 
lobed  expansion.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  the  intes- 
tines, from  which  they  pass  out  into  the  open  air 
and  are  soon  hatched.  The  mouth  of  this  worm  is 
circular  and  armed  with  six  teeth,  by  means  of 
which  it  attaches  itself  to  the  intestines  and 
pierces  the  tissue,  feeding  upon  the  blood.  If  there 
are  many  of  them  they  create  such  a  drain  on  the 
system  of  their  host  as  to  weaken  and  possibly  de- 
stroy it.  It  may  also  by  its  irritation  of  the  bow- 
els cause  serious  trouble  and  disease.  An  active 
purge  is  the  best  remedy  for  the  removal  of  this 
worm. 


DISEASES   OF  THE   HOG. 

STRONQYLUS  DENTATUS  (RUD.) 

Pigore  80. 


87 


Figure  80. — This  worm  is  found  in  the  intestine 
of  the  hog.  It  is  a  slender  filiform  worm  about 
half  an  inch  long;  the  head  is  obtuse  and  sur- 
rounded by  six  acute  papillae;  the  oesophagus  is 
shorty  thick  and  muscular;  in  the  male  the  tail  is 


88  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

truncated  and  provided  with  an  oblique  bursa;  in 
the  female  it  is  elongated  and  slender,  ending  in  a 
fine  point;  the  genital  opening  is  near  the  posterior 
end.  The  history  of  this  worm  is  not  known.  It 
does  not  seem  to  do  much  harm.  The  usual  treat- 
ment for  worms  is  nearly  always  effectual  in  bring- 
ing them  away.  I  have  seen  quite  a  number  of 
them  mixed  with  other  worms  in  the  feces  of  a  hog 
that  had  been  treated  for  worms. 

STRONQYLUS  ELONQATUS. 

This  species  live  in  the  lung  and  air  passages  of 
the  pig.  This  worm  is  about  one  to  one  and  one- 
half  inches  long.  They  often  occur  singly  or  sev- 
eral together.  When  they  are  numerous  they  set 
up  great  disturbance,  often  resulting  in  the  death 
of  the  host  The  first  symptom  of  the  disease  is  a 
cough,  usually  slight  at  first,  but  soon  becoming 
very  distressing,  and  the  pig  shows  signs  of  suffo- 
cation, which  sometimes  takes  place,  or  inflamma- 
tion may  set  in  and  carry  the  animal  off.  This  dis- 
ease is  often  taken  for  catarrh  or  some  other  res- 
piratory trouble  and  it  is  very  difficult  to  diagnose 
unless  a  worm  which  has  been  coughed  up  may  be 
seen  protruding  from  the  nose. 

Treatment:  This  is  not  easy  in  the  pig.  Small 
quantities  of  turpentine  injected  into  the  nostrils 
may  reach  the  worms.  Turpentine  given  in  tea- 
spoonful  doses  three  times  daily  will  sometimes  be 
of  use,  as  the  turpentine  is  partly  eliminated  by 
the  lungs.  The  inhalation  of  the  fumes  of  carbolic 
acid  is  also  useful. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 
KIDNEY  WORH  (EUSTRONQYLUS  QIGAS.) 

Figure  81. 


Fig.  81. — This  worm  is  found  in  the  kidneys  of 
all  the  domestic  animals  and  in  man,  although  it  is 
very  rare.  It  is  a  large  worm  and  it  is  said  that 
sometimes  the  female  becomes  three  feet  long  and 
half  an  inch  in  diameter,  although  usually  much 
less.  The  male  becomes  ten  to  twelve  inches  long. 
I  have  never  seen  any  of  them  so  large,  as  they  are 
usually  only  a  few  inches  long.  The  body  is  smooth, 
round  and  tapering  somewhat  to  each  end,  and  of 
a  deep  red  color.  When  such  worms  are  present 
in  the  kidneys  they  gradually  but  completely  de- 
stroy the  substance  of  the  kidney  which  becomes 
filled  with  purulent  matter,  upon  which  the  worm 
feeds,  while  the  walls  often  become  hardened 
with  calcarous  deposits.  The  effects  and  symptoms 
are  the  same  as  in  other  acute  diseases  or  abscesses 
in  one  of  thekidneys.  The  only  positive  proof  of  the 
presence  of  the  worms  would  be  the  discovery  of 
the  eggs  in  the  urine.  It  is  probable  that  no  remedy 
can  be  applied  when  the  parasite  is  once  lodged  in 
the  kidney.  The  history  of  this  worm  is  not  fully 
known.     (Verill.) 

I  have  found  live  worms  in  the  kidneys  of  both 
the  pig  and  dog  and  the  kidneys  were  perfectly 


90 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 


healthy  and  neither  animal  seemed  to  be  in  any 
way  affected  by  them.  The  loss  of  power  of  the 
hind  parts  of  pigs  which  has  been  attributed  to 
kidney  worms,  is  not  due  to  a  parasite,  but  to  par- 
alysis of  the  muscles  of  the  hind  parts.  I  have  made 
careful  investigations  of  such  cases,  but  failed  to 
find  any  worms  or  any  disease  of  the  kidneys. 
Paralysis  of  the  hind  parts  would  not  be  the  symp- 
tom of  kidney  disease. 

TRICHINA  SPIRALIS. 


Figure  76. 


Figure  76.— A  small  piece  of  human  muscle  containing 
encysted  young  of  Triciiina  spiralis  Owen,  enlarged  forty-five 
diaiueters.    From  Hearth  and  Home,  after  Leuckart. 


DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG.  gj 

Figure  76. — This  very  minute  worm  is  found  in 
the  larva  stage  in  large  numbers  in  the  flesh  of 
some  pigs,  dogs,  cats,  rats,  mice,  rabbits,  guinea- 
pigs  and  many  other  animals,  in  the  natural  state 
in  the  intestines  of  the  same  animals.  The  male  is 
very  small,  measuring  only  one-eighteenth  of  an 
inch.  The  female  is  stouter  and  longer  than  the 
male,  measuring  about  one  eighth  of  an  inch.  The 
young  trichinae  occur  embedded  in  the  muscles  of 
the  pig  and  various  other  animals.  They  are  so 
small  as  to  be  quite  invisible  to  the  eye  and  mill- 
ions of  them  may  be  in  the  flesh  of  the  pig  without 
producing  any  unusual  appearance;  even  an  ex- 
pert could  not  detect  them  without  the  aid  of  the 
microscope.  This  is  why  so  many  deaths  occur 
from  eating  pork  filled  with  this  parasite.  When 
these  little  worms  are  first  introduced  into  the  mus- 
cles of  the  pig  they  are  free  and  coiled  up  among 
the  fibers  of  the  muscles;  but  after  a  few  weeks  they 
become  incased  in  minute  whitish,  elongated  cysts, 
supposed  to  be  the  result  of  irritation  set  up  by 
their  movement  and  feeding.  Figure  76.  In  a  year's 
time  these  cysts  become  calcified  by  a  deposit  of 
carbonate  of  lime  in  the  membrane;  when  this 
takes  place  minute  white  specks  about  the  size  of 
hemp-seeds  may  be  seen  in  the  muscles.  When 
the  worms  are  inclosed  in  the  cyst  they  lie  dormant 
and  although  they  may  live  for  years  and  even 
weeks  after  the  death  of  their  host  they  can  do  no 
further  harm,  unless  they  are  eaten  by  man  or  some 
animal.  Each  cyst  contains  a  little  slender  worm 
about  one  twenty-fifth  of  an  inch  long  and  one  sev- 


92  "^^iSL      DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

en-hundredth  of  an  inch  in  thickness  coiled  up  in 
two  or  three  turns;  the  size  of  the  cyst  is  about  one- 
eighth  of  an  inch  long  and  one  one-hundred  and 
thirtieth  thick.    If  the  flesh  of  the  pig  containing 
these  worms  be  eaten  by  man,  they  become  liber- 
ated in  the  stomach  and,  entering  the  intestine,  at- 
tach themselves  to  its  soft  lining,  and  there,  sur- 
rounded with  abundance  of  food,  they  grow  very 
rajjidly  and  become  mature,  with  fully  developed 
sexual  organs,  in  tw^o  days.    The  females  are  more 
numerous  than  the  male  and  become  about  one 
eighth  of  an  inch  long  when  full  grown.    They  pair 
as  soon  as  mature  and  the  male  soon  dies,  but  the 
female  begins  to  give  birth  to  living  worms  in  five 
or  six  days  from  the  time  it  enters  the  stomach  and 
lives  long  enough  to  produce  a  brood  of  from  five 
hundred  to  one  thousand  young  worms  each.    As 
one  ounce  of  pork  often  contains  a  quarter  of  a  mill- 
ion or  more  of  the  worms,  it  is  not  surprising  that 
the  million  of  adult  worms  and  their  offspring 
sometimes  resulting  from  a  single  meal  of  raw 
pork  should  by  their  presence,  produce  great  irrita- 
tion and  inflammation  of  the  intestine  and  violent 
diarrhea  and  vomiting,  which  are  often  the  first 
symptoms  in  severe  cases.    But  the  young  worms 
as  soon  as  they  are  born,  begin  to  eat  or  force  their 
way  through  the  membrane  of  the  intestine  into 
the  minute  blood  vessels  and  other  organs,  thus 
vastly  increasing  the  irritation.    Entering  the  cir- 
culation they  are  carried  by  the  blood  to  the  heart, 
thence  to  the  lungs    and    then    become    diffused 
through  the  whole  system.  (Verrill.)  Some  other  ob- 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOa  93 

servers  think  the  young  worms  force  their  way  di- 
rectly through  the  intestine  and  all  the  interven- 
ing organs,  until  they  reach  a  suitable  habitation 
in  tlie  voluntary  muscles.  According  to  Dr.  Leuck- 
art  they  travel  by  way  of  the  inter-muscular  con- 
nective tissue,  and  are  found  most  abundantly  in 
the  groups  of  muscles  nearest  the  abdominal  cav- 
ity-, especially  in  those  that  are  smallest  and  have 
the  most  connective  tissue.  The  cysts  containing 
trichinae  were  first  observed  in  human  muscles  in 
1882,  but  the  worms  were  first  named  and  described 
by  Owen  in  1835,  but  were  only  regarded  as  anatom- 
ical curiosities  of  no  practical  importance,  until 
1860,  when  Zenker  proved  that  they  are  capable  of 
producing  the  severe  and  often  fatal  disease  now 
well  known  under  the  name  of  Trichiniasis,  but 
which  has  been  previously  confounded  with  ty- 
phoid fever,  inflammatory  rheumatism  or  rheu- 
matic fever,  poisoning  and  other  diseases. 


94  DISEASEJS  OF  THE  HOCJ. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  RESPIRATORY  ORGANS. 

Inflammation  may  occupy  a  distinct  portion  of 
the  respiratory  passages  and  terminate  where  it 
began,  or  it  may  affect  several  portions  succes- 
sively or  all  at  the  same  time,  forming  one  continu- 
ous disease.  It  will  be  more  convenient  to  consider 
each  set  separately.  The  pig  is  a  very  bad  subject 
to  examine  as  it  is  impossible  to  keep  it  quiet,  and 
if  we  try  to  do  so  we  excite  the  animal  so  much  that 
both  the  respiration  and  the  circulation  ure  much 
increased  in  frequency,  therefore  we  cannot  get 
much  aid  in  this  line. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  NOSTRILS  OR  CORYZA. 

The  same  mucous  membrane  lines  the  nostrils 
and  the  sinuses  of  the  head  and  face  and  these  parts 
are  all  liable  to  become  inflamed  at  the  same  time, 
constituting  what  is  called  a  cold  in  the  head,  and 
very  often  the  membrane  of  the  eyelids  will  be 
affected  at  the  same  time  through  sympathy. 

Causes. — The  most  frequent  exciting  cause  is  ex- 
posure to  cold  such  as  lying  in  cold,  damp  places  in 
cold  weather,  especially  cold  east  winds  and  rain. 
Some  pigs  are  much  more  susceptible  to  colds  than 


'  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  95 

others.  This  disease  is  often  epizootic,  affecting 
nearly  all  the  pigs  in  a  neighborhood  at  or  about 
the  same  time. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptom  is  that  of  dry- 
ness with  some  swelling  of  the  membrane,  and  irri- 
tation which  causes  sneezing;  this  is  generally  fol- 
lowed by  copious  discharge  of  a  thin,  acrid  fluid, 
which  irritates  the  margin  of  the  nose  and  the 
membrane,  increasing  the  inflammation.  The  nos- 
trils are  partially  closed  by  the  swelling,  which 
causes  the  animal  to  make  a  snufiiing  sound;  the 
eyes  become  red  and  watery,  either  from  sympathy 
or  by  the  continuous  extension  of  the  inflammation 
up  the  lachry^mal  passages.  In  the  majority  of 
eases  there  are  no  constitutional  symptoms;  the 
pulse  remains  natural  and  the  appetite  is  unim- 
paired. In  some  few  cases  there  will  be  more  or 
less  fever  indicated  by  loss  of  appetite,  hot,  dry 
skin  and  a  somewhat  excited  pulse.  The  complaint 
usually  attains  its  height  in  three  or  four  days,  then 
it  begins  to  abate.  The  secretions  from  the  nose 
are  thicker  and  less  copious  and  sometimes  assume 
a  yellowish  color.  If  there  has  been  any  fever  it 
gradually  subsides  and  recovery  is  usually  com- 
plete in  from  seven  to  ten  days.  If  it  should  extend 
to  the  throat  and  downwards  it  would  constitute 
laryngitis  and  bronchitis,  which  will  be  described 
under  their  respective  heads. 

Treatment:  Most  cases  of  this  disease  are  so 
mild  that  no  medicine  is  needed.  The  pig  should 
be  kept  in  a  comfortable  place  at  night  and  allowed 
to  run  at  large  during  the  day,    A  warm  mash  at 


96  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

night  with  a  little  good  ginger  in  it  will  be  all  that 
is  necessary.  If  there  should  be  fever  give  the  ani- 
mal a  dose  of  epsom  salts  and  follow  this  by  giving 
small  doses  of  nitrate  of  potassium,  ten  to  fifteen 
grains.  If  the  nostrils  should  get  very  much  filled 
up  x>ut  a  piece  of  camphor  in  hot  water  and  hold  it 
under  the  nose  for  ten  minutes;  or  take  a  small  bot- 
tle of  tincture  of  iodine  and  hold  it  under  the  nose; 
the  heat  of  the  hands  will  cause  it  to  give  off  vapor 
of  iodine.  A  few  doses  of  quinine  often  affords  re- 
lief. 

CHRONIC  INFLAnnATION  OF  THE  NOSTRILS  OR  OZENA. 

When  simple  catarrh  continues  beyond  the  usual 
period  it  is  apt  to  become  chronic.  The  mucous 
surfaces  have  become  weakened  or  ulcerated,  giv- 
ing rise  to  a  yellowish  muco-purulent  discharge,  or 
mucous  membrane  may  become  thickened  and 
make  breathing  somewhat  difficult.  I  have  known 
young  pigs  to  die  of  this  disease. 

Treatment:  Give  the  pig  from  eight  to  ten 
grains  of  sulphate  of  iron  in  its  food  twice  a  day. 
In  young  pigs  when  they  get  badly  stuffed  up  the 
nostrils  should  be  cleaned  out  and  steamed  with 
hot  water  with  a  little  carbolic  acid  in  it.  In  some 
cases  it  will  be  necessary  to  inject  into  the  nostrils 
a  solution  of  sulphate  of  zinc,  beginning  with  four 
grains  to  the  ounce  and  rapidly  increasing  it  to 
twenty  grains  to  the  fluid  ounce  repeat  several 
tiiiK  s  a  day.  Fowler's  solution  of  arsenic  in  from 
thr(^e  to  five  drops  given  in  the  food  three  times  a 


DISEASES  OE  THE  HOG.  07 

day  is  useful;  this  can  be  continued  for  a  month  if 
necessary. 

HALIQNANT    CATARRH. 

This  disease  in  the  pig  somewhat  resembles  glan- 
ders in  the  horse.  It  is  not  common  in  this  country, 
and  when  it  advances  to  the  second  stage  it  is  bet- 
ter to  destroy  the  animal  and  thus  prevent  any 
danger  of  it  spreading  to  other  hogs,  as  it  is  useless 
to  try  treating  such  a  case. 

Symptoms:  There  is  considerable  discharge 
from  the  nostrils  and  eyes.  The  eyelids  are  swollen 
and  the  animal  keeps  in  dark  places,  as  the  light 
seems  to  anno^^  it.  The  disease  extends  gradually 
to  the  back  part  of  the  mouth  and  throat,  causing 
swelling  of  the  mucous  membrane  resulting  in  suf- 
focating cough  with  difficult  breathing.  The  nose 
becomes  thick  and  ill  shaped;  the  discharge  be- 
comes very  offensive  and  often  mixed  with  blood; 
the  animal  has  considerable  fever;  the  breathing  is 
very  frequent,  the  pulse  is  rapid  and  the  heart  fee- 
ble; there  is  usually  great  thirst;  the  animal  re- 
fuses all  food  and  loses  flesh  rapidly;  the  feces  are 
black  and  the  urine  high  colored,  and  in  this  stage 
if  it  is  not  checked  the  pig  soon  dies  from  weakness 
and  suffocation. 

Treatment:  Give  two  ounces  of  castor  oil  and 
follow  this  by  giving  from  five  to  eight  drops  of 
nitrohydrochloric  acid  at  a  dose  three  times  a  day 
in  a  little  oatmeal  gruel.  If  the  animal  is  weak 
give  from  two  to  four  grains  of  quinine,  in  two 
tablespoonfuls    of    whisky.     The   head    and    face 


98  DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG. 

should  be  bathed  with  acetate  of  lead  half  an  ounce 
to  the  quart  of  water.  If  the  cough  is  troublesome 
give  from  fifteen  to  twenty  drops  of  tincture  of 
opium  in  a  spoonful  of  water.  When  there  is  a  ten- 
dency to  stiffocation  gargle  the  throat  with  tincture 
chloride  of  iron,  a  teaspoonful  to  the  ounce  of 
water.  Bathe  the  neck  with  hot  water  and  then 
rub  on  mustard.  Steaming  the  nostrils  in  this  com- 
plaint is  useful.  If  the  animal  does  not  improve  in 
a  few  days  it  will  be  better  to  destroy  it. 

QUINSY  OF  THE  PIQ. 

This  disease  is  characterized  by  sore  throat  and 
the  appearance  of  a  swelling  on  the  sides  of  the 
neck  at  the  angle  of  the  lower  jaw  and  sometimes 
extending  between  its  wings.  When  the  swelling- 
is  large  it  presses  on  the  larynx  (upper  part  of  the 
windpipe),  causing  difficult  breathing,  and  in  some 
cases  suffocation.  This  is  a  local  disease  and  one 
common  to  the  pig,  and  usually  yields  to  treat- 
ment. 

Treatment:  Give  the  pig  all  the  cold  water  it 
will  drink.  Put  half  a  dram  of  chloride  of  am- 
monia in  half  a  pint  of  water  and  if  the  animal  is 
thirsty  and  will  drink  water,  put  it  in  the  drinking 
water;  if  not,  give  it  with  a  bottle,  repeat  three 
times  a  day.  Bathe  the  neck  with  hot  water  and 
rub  on  a  little  camphorated  liniment  If  the  breath- 
ing is  difficult  give  three  drops  of  the  fluid  extract 
^)f  belladonna  and  ten  grains  of  chlorate  of  potas- 
sium at  a  dose  three  times  a  day;  steam  the  nostrils 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  99 

three  times  a  day  with  hot  water,  with  a  piece  of 
camphor  in  it  Binding  hot  cloths  around  the 
throat  is  useful. 

LARYNGITIS  AND  PHARYNGITIS  (SORE  THROAT.) 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  in  the  pig,  and  is 
characterized  by  cough,  difficulty  in  swallowing 
liquids,  and  rough  breathing. 

Causes :  The  causes  of  sore  throat  are  changes 
from  heat  to  cold  or  from  a  cold  place  to  one  that 
is  hot  and  badly  ventilated,  lying  in  cold,  wet  straw 
and  changes  in  the  atmosphere.  Pigs  that  have 
been  driven  a  distance  and  are  over-heated  and  cool 
off  suddenly  are  liable  to  get  sore  throat. 

Symptoms:  There  will  be  a  hard,  dry  cough, 
difficulty  in  swallowing  food  and  water,  impaired 
appetite,  froth  from  the  mouth  and  more  or  less 
roughness  in  the  breathing;  the  cough  is  often  spas- 
modic and  distressing;  there  is  no  external  swelling 
and  it  is  easily  distinguished  from  quinsy  on  this 
account.  In  bad  cases  there  will  be  considerable 
fever  with  a  fast  full  pulse  and  some  elevation  of 
the  temperature;  the  skin  will  be  hot  and  dry  and 
the  hair  rough;  the  pig  will  lie  most  of  the  time  un- 
less the  cough  is  very  severe,  when  it  will  stand  up 
until  the  fit  of  coughing  passes.  This  disease  is 
usually  manageable,  though  in  a  few  instances, 
when  very  intense  or  attended  with  an  unusual 
degree  of  serous  effusion  into  the  submucous  tissue, 
it  becomes  very  alarming  and  even  causes  death. 
Its  great  danger  under  these  circumstances  is  ow- 
ing to  the  narrowness  of  the  passage  through  the 


100  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

chink  of  the  glottis,  which  is  closed  by  its  walls 
being  swollen,  probably  being  aided  by  s^^asms  of 
the  muscles,  thus  pres^enting  the  admission  of  air 
so  that  the  pig  dies  of  true  asphyxia.  There  is  no 
other  portion  of  the  respiratory  passages  in  which 
an  equal  extent  of  inflammation  is  capable  of  pro- 
ducing the  same  fatal  results.  I  have  made  post- 
mortem examination  of  young  pigs  which  died  of 
this  disease,  where  the  glottis  w^as  completely 
closed,  all  the  other  organs  being  in  perfect  health. 
Death  is  usually  very  rapid  in  such  cases.  I  have 
known  several  instances  in  which  the  animal  died 
in  ten  hours  from  the  beginning  of  the  attack. 

Treatment:  Give  from  one  to  two  ounces  of  cas- 
tor oil;  follow  this  by  giving  ten  grains  chloride  of 
potassium  and  from  two  to  three  drops  of  the  fluid 
extract  of  belladonna  three  or  four  times  a  day. 
Steam  the  nostrils  with  hot  water  and  camphor 
every  two  hours  if  there  is  much  difficulty  in 
breathing.  In  some  cases  great  benefit  will  be  de- 
rived from  giving  an  emetic.  Mix  four  grains  of 
potassium-tartrate  of  antimony  and  six  grains  of 
ipecacuanha  in  a  little  gruel;  repeat  in  half  an  hour 
if  vomiting  does  not  take  place;  this  will  remove 
any  collection  of  mucus  in  the  throat  and  will  also 
reduce  the  fever;  this  should  always  b^  done  when 
there  is  any  tendency  to  suffocation.  Half  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  the  compound  syrup  of  squills  is  often 
useful  repeated  several  times  a  day.  If  the  cough 
is  very  troublesome  give  from  fifteen  to  twenty- 
five  drops  of  tincture  of  opium  in  a  little  water. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  101 

When  there  is  much  fever  advantage  can  some- 
times be  had  by  giving  two  grains  of  calomel 
every  two  hours  until  it  has  made  an  impression 
on  the  pulse,  or  from  three  to  five  drops  of  the 
fluid  extract  of  veratrum  viride  four  or  five 
times  a  day  in  a  little  water.  Sometimes  ad- 
vantage is  obtained  from  gargling  the  throat  with 
alum  and  water,  a  teaspoonful  of  alum  to  a  glass  of 
water;  this  can  be  repeated  every  hour  or  two.  The 
operation  of  tracheotomy  cannot  be  resorted  to 
with  success  on  account  of  the  shortness  of  the  neck 
and  the  accumulation  of  fat. 

CHRONIC  LARYNGITIS. 

This  form  is  not  common  in  the  pig.  The  mucous 
membrane  though  inflamed  maintains  its  integrity. 
There  is  little  inconvenience;  it  is  only  when  ulcera- 
tion takes  place  that  it  injures  the  animal.  A  pig 
may  be  affected  w^ith  this  trouble  and  keep  in  good 
condition  and  the  only  thing  noticeable  will  be  a 
dry  cough,  which  does  not  yield  easily  to  treatment. 
The  best  remedy  is  the  compound  syrup  of  squills 
in  thirty  drop  doses  three  times  a  day.  If  ulcera- 
tion should  take  place  there  will  be  a  little  blood 
mixed  with  the  mucus  coughed  up.  This  form  of 
disease  cannot  be  successfully  treated  in  the  pig. 
Giving  turpentine  in  dram  doses  three  times  a  day 
and  making  the  animal  inhale  the  fumes  from 
burning  tar  will  sometimes  be  beneficial  and  might 
be  tried. 


102  DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG. 

NERVOUS  COUGH. 

We  meet  with  pigs  having  a  cough,  especially 
among  the  young  ones;  it  is  not  attended  with  any 
symptoms  of  catarrh;  there  is  no  evidence  of  in- 
liammation  or  irritation  of  any  i)art  of  the  respira- 
tor}^ passages,  nor  are  there  any  of  the  abnormal 
sounds  heard  of  a  moist  or  dry  character  that  can 
be  detected.  The  trouble  is  purely  a  nervous  one. 
It  is  caused  by  some  morbid  condition  of  the  nerves 
of  respiration  or  of  the  centers.  The  cough  is 
usually  dry  unless  the  paroxysms  are  severe,  then 
a  little  mucus  may  come  up.  It  may  last  for 
months  or  it  may  pass  off  in  a  few  weeks.  It  does 
not  as  a  general  thing  disturb  the  health  of  the 
animal  and  resembles  a  mild  attack  of  whooping 
cough  in  the  human.  It  usually  yields  to  treat- 
ment. Tincture  of  asafetida  in  dram  doses  three 
times  a  day  or  better  if  it  can  be  obtained  is  allium 
or  English  garlic;  the  oil  of  garlic  is  the  most  con- 
venient, dose  from  ten  to  fifteen  drops  three  times 
a  day  given  in  a  little  syrup  or  dropped  on  sugar. 
I  have  found  from  experience  that  this  form  of 
cough  will  run  its  course  without  any  treatment 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRONCHIAL  TUBE5. 
(BRONCHITIS.) 

Tinder  this  head  we  shall  take  in  inflammation 
of  trachea  as  well  as  the  bronchial  tubes.  Bron- 
chitis is  not  very  common  in  the  pig,  although  I 
have  seen  some  well  marked  cases  of  it,  especially 
in  shoats  of  from  six  weeks  to  three  months  old,  and 
it  often  proves  fatal.    It  varies  very  greatly  in  de- 


DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG.  103 

gree  and  character.  The  iuliammation  very  fre- 
quently begins  at  the  nostrils,  fauces  or  larynx  and 
passes  down  the  trachea  into  the  bronchial 
tubes. 

Causes:  Cold  in  some  form  is  the  usual  cause 
and  is  most  common  in  the  fall.  Young  pigs  which 
have  to  lie  out  at  nights  exposed  to  cold  rains  or 
those  kept  in  cold,  w^et  houses  are  very  apt  to  take 
inflammation  of  some  part  of  the  respiratory  pas- 
sages. Pigs  should  have  a  good,  dry,  warm  place  to 
sleep  in  at  night.  It  is  said  that  an  excess  of  ozone 
in  the  atmosphere  may  occasionally  cause  it  as  well 
as  coryza  and  laryngitis;  this  may  be  true  as  we 
sometimes  find  a  number  of  animals  affected  w4th 
bronchitis  at  the  same  time. 

Symptoms:  There  is  a  cough  and  usually  some 
hoarseness  with  distressed  breathing;  the  animal  is 
restless,  holding  up  its  head  as  if  it  was  suffering 
snuffing  the  air;  there  is  fever  indicated  by  dryness 
of  the  skin  and  fast  pulse;  the  cough  is  at  first  dry 
and  painful;  as  the  disease  advances  the  cough  be- 
cojDies  softer  and  after  severe  coughing  there  will 
be  more  or  less  mucus  of  a  white  frothy  color  com- 
ing from  the  mouth;  the  appetite  is  impaired  ac- 
cording to  the  severity  of  the  fever.  The  disease 
generally  lasts  from  four  to  ten  days;  at  that  time 
if  the  appetite  is  improving,  the  skin  becoming 
moist  and  the  cough  less  frequent,  the  animal 
makes  a  rapid  recovery.  In  bad  cases  the  inflam- 
mation sinks  deeper  into  the  small  bronchial  bron- 
chi; the  air  enters  with  difficulty  through  the  con- 
stricted tubes,  causing  great  oppression  and  diffi- 


104  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

cult  breathing,  and  the  animal  suffers  from  a  feelr 
ing  of  suffocation.  Another  danger  arises  from 
the  small  tubes  becoming  filled  with  mucus  inter- 
fering with  the  due  aeration  of  the  blood.  This 
blood,  passing  through  the  vessels  of  the  brain,  has 
a  very  depressing  effect  on  the  system  and  some- 
times causes  sudden  death,  or  death  may  be  pre- 
ceded by  coma  or  delirium.  In  very  distressing 
cases  there  will  often  be  a  little  blood  mixed  with 
the  mucus.  This  is  a  much  more  dangerous  dis- 
ease in  animals,  especially  the  very  young  ones,  as 
they  seem  to  be  unable  to  throw  out  the  mucus. 

Treatment  of  Bronchitis :  In  the  early  stages  of 
the  disease  give  one  ounce  of  epsom  salts  to  clean 
out  the  stomach  and  bowels  and  also  to  act  as  a  re- 
vulsent;  follow  this  by  taking  one  pint  of  linseed 
tea  with  two  drams  of  antimonial  wine  in  it;  give 
this  in  divided  doses  during  the  day.  Other  demul- 
cents such  as  gum  arable  in  proportion  of  one  ounce 
to  the  pint  of  water  or  effusion  of  slippery  elm 
would  be  useful.  If  there  is  much  cough  give  from 
one  to  two  grains  of  opium  in  a  little  of  the  above 
emulsion;  if  there  is  high  fever  give  three  or  four 
drops  of  tincture  of  aconite  and  from  ten  to  fifteen 
grains  of  nitrate  of  potassium.  In  severe  cases  if 
the  hog  is  strong  a  full  dose  of  calomel,  eight  to  ten 
grains,  given  at  once,  is  very  useful.  We  cannot 
with  any  satisfaction  to  ourselves  or  benefit  to  the 
pig  use  hot  water  to  the  surface  of  the  body;  but  1 
think  some  benefit  may  be  derived  by  rubbing  the 
fudes  w^ell  with  compound  soap  liniment  or  mus- 
tard several  time8»   After  the  acute  stage  is  passed 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  105 

the  compound  syrup  of  squills  in  doses  of  from 
twenty  to  thirty  drops  three  times  a  day  will  be 
found  serviceable.  At  this  stage  of  the  disease 
opium  should  be  avoided  as  it  is  apt  to  arrest  the 
secretions  or  prevent  the  expulsion  of  mucus  from 
the  small  bronchi  and  therefore  increase  the  dis- 
tress and  danger.  It  is  better  in  the  case  of  the  pig 
not  to  restrain  the  cough,  as  it  is  often  an  effort  of 
nature  to  expel  the  accumulated  mucus.  If  the 
cough  should  be  very  distressing  recourse  may  then 
sometimes  be  had  to  the  fluid  extract  of  hyoscya- 
mus  three  to  five  drops  at  a  dose  every  two  hours 
or  hydrocyanic  acid  ip  doses  from  five  to  fifteen 
drops  every  two  hours.  In  the  advanced  stages 
when  it  appears  to  be  verging  on  a  chronic  form, 
take  one  ounce  of  the  bruised  roots  of  senega  and 
licorice,  boil  this  in  one  and  one  half  pints  of  water 
down  to  a  pint,  and  w  hen  cool  add  one  grain  tartar 
emetic  and  tw^o  ounces  of  sugar,  and  give  the  ani- 
mal a  tablespoonful  of  this  every  two  hours.  If  the 
pig  is  weak,  give  it  five  to  ten  grains  of  carbonate 
of  ammonia  in  a  little  cold  water  every  two  hours. 
The  animal's  strength  should  be  supported  by  good 
milk  or  eggs  beaten  up  and  a  little  whisky  added 
to  it.  Keep  the  animal  as  comfortable  as  possible. 
Post  Mortem  Appearances. — The  bronchial  mu- 
cous membrane  is  reddened,  thickened,  sometimes 
softened;  in  some  cases  there  is  ulceration  and  gan- 
grene. Occasionally  the  redness  is  diffused,  but 
more  frequently  in  patches.  In  some  few  cases 
there  will  be  abrasion.  The  tubes  contain  mucus  in 
various  states^  sometimes  blood  and  not  infi^equent- 


106  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

ly  pus.  In  cases  where  the  animal  has  died  from 
an  accumulation  of  mucus  in  the  tubes  the  lungs 
refuse  to  collapse  upon  the  admission  of  air  into 
the  pleural  cavities.  Under  the  microiscope  the 
surface  of  the  membrane  may  sometimes  be  seen 
deprived  of  its  epithelium  and  the  fibrous  layer 
covered  with  a  fibrous  exudation  in  its  place.  The 
substance  of  the  lungs  is  more  or  less  affected,  often 
they  are  congested  in  patches,  sometimes  there  will 
be  small  abscesses  filled  with  pus  bearing  a  resem- 
blance to  tubercles  when  cut  into;  these  are  lined 
with  false  membrane  and  communicate  with  the 
bronchial  tubes.  Chronic  bronchitis  is  not  a  usual 
result  of  the  acute  in  animals ;  but  if  a  cough  with 
more  or  less  discharge  of  mucus  should  remain 
after  all  acute  symptoms  have  passed  it  may  be 
called  chronic  and  is  best  treated  by  tonics  and 
stimulants,  such  as  iron,  quinine  and  whisky,  or 
from  five  to  eight  drops  of  Fowler's  solution  of 
arsenic,  three  times  a  day  in  food.  A  very  good 
one  is  ten  grains  of  sulphate  of  copper  in  the  food 
three  times  a  day.  Two  drams  of  tar  in  the  food 
twice  a  day  I  have  found  very  effectual. 

CONGESTION  OF  THE  LUNGS. 

This  is  a  common  disease  in  the  pig,  and  consists 
of  engorgement  of  the  vessels  of  the  lungs  with 
blood  and  a  detention  of  it  in  the  capillaries  caus- 
ing what  is  known  as  pulmonary  apoplexy.  This 
state  of  engorgement  is  recognized  as  acute,  pas- 
sive and  mechanical.  The  former  is  the  one  which 
we  most  frequently  encounter  and  is  readily  recog- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  107 

nized  in  the  pig.  When  pigs  are  fat  they  have  very 
little  breathing  space  left  and  therefore  are  not  in 
a  fit  condition  for  fast  movement.  When  it  be- 
comes necessary  to  drive  pigs  in  this  state,  particu- 
larly if  the  day  is  hot,  great  care  should  be  taken 
not  to  push  them,  but  allow  them  to  rest  occasion- 
ally. I  have  known  pigs  which  have  been  driven 
or  chased  when  they  would  strsij  from  the  herd  to 
fall  down  and  never  rise  again.  The  exertion  caused 
the  heart  to  propel  more  blood  to  the  lungs  than 
they  could  receive  in  a  natural  state,  causing  dis- 
tention of  the  vessels  which  pressed  on  the  air  cells 
preventing  access  of  air  resulting  in  suffocation. 
When  the  animal  show^s  symptoms  of  fatigue  it 
should  be  rested  for  a  short  time  and  be  given  a 
drink  of  water.  It  is  also  caused  by  colds,  badly 
ventilated  houses  and  is  the  result  of  other  dis- 
eases. 

Symptoms:  The  animal  is  in  great  distress;  if  it 
is  standing  its  head  w411  hang  down  and  its  fore- 
legs will  be  wide  apart  and  its  flanks  heaving  at 
the  rate  of  one  hundred  per  minute;  the  mouth  will 
be  partially  open;  the  eyes  are  bloodshot;  the  heart 
beats  tumultuously.  In  some  cases  there  will  be 
blood  oozing  from  the  nose;  the  pig  soon  becomes 
unable  to  stand  and  it  lies  down  on  its  breast  with 
its  nose  resting  on  the  ground;  the  legs  and  ears 
are  cold,  and  the  mouth  hot.  If  the  animal  is  made 
to  rise  it  will  often  squeal,  but  in  the  majority  of 
cases  it  will  not  get  up;  the  pulse  is  small  and  indis- 
tinct  and  the  beat  is  difficult  to  make  out;  (which 
may  be  as  many  as  one  hundred  and  fifty  per  min- 


108  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

ute);  the  heart's  action  is  rapid,  jerky,  disturbed, 
and  tumultuous,  but  takes  strength;  auscultation 
of  the  chest  is  not  satisfactorily  made  in  the  pig; 
but  in  some  cases  where  the  animal  will  lie  quiet  a 
minute  crepitation  or  a  fine  sharp  crackling  sound 
Avill  be  heard;  this  sound  may  be  diffused  or  it  may 
only  be  detected  in  portions  of  the  lung,  but  usually 
no  distinct  sound  will  be  heard.  Congestion  of  the 
lungs  occurring  as  a  result  or  in  connection  with 
other  diseases,  although  the  symptoms  are  not  to 
all  appearances  so  severe,  are  generally  more  fatal 
than  when  the  result  of  over  exertion. 

Terminations:  The  great  majority  of  cases  which 
are  severe  and  acute  unless  prompt  treatment  is 
had  recourse  to  will  terminate  fatally.  The  condi- 
tion of  the  congested  vessels  rapidly  causes  death 
from  asphyxia.  Milder  cases  may  terminate  in  in- 
flammation of  the  lungs. 

Post  Mortem  Appearance:  In  pigs  which  die  of 
this  disease  the  lung  tissue  will  be  found  greatly 
distended  with  dark  colored  fluid  blood  with  occa- 
sionally circumscribed  effusion  of  blood  from  rup- 
ture of  minute  and  capillary  vessels.  The  lungs  are 
swollen  and  of  a  darker  color  than  natural  and 
their  crepitant  character  is  much  diminished,  al- 
though not  altogether  gone.  Their  normal  elastic- 
ity and  spongy  texture  is  somewhat  destroyed  and 
although  heavier  than  natural,  still  they  will  float 
on  water.  When  the  surface  is  cut  there  will  be  an 
oozing  of  blood  and  if  squeezed  it  will  drip  as  if 
from  squeezing  a  sponge,  and  it  is  rendered  frothy 
from  the  entanglement  of  air.     The  lining  mem- 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOdt.  lOO 

brane  through  the  entire  bronchial  tubes  is  red- 
dened and  covered  with  frothy  mucus.  In  no  part 
do  we  find  effusion,  save  of  serous  material,  the 
characteristic  plastic  exudation  of  inflammatory 
action  being  as  yet  undeveloped.  Both  sides  of  the 
heart,  but  particularly  the  right,  with  the  large 
blood  vessels  proceeding  to  and  from  it,  are  more  or 
less  full  of  dark-colored  blood,  but  not  coagulated. 
Treatment:  As  soon  as  possible  give  the  animal 
a  stimulant  such  as  one  dram  of  aromatic  spirits 
of  ammonia  and  one  dram  spirits  nitrous 
ether  at  a  dose  in  a  little  cold  water,  and 
repeat  in  half  an  hour  if  necessary;  or  give  from 
one  to  two  tablespoonfuls  of  good  brandy  or 
whisky;  cover  the  body  with  warm  blankets  and 
rub  the  legs  with  a  little  of  the  compound  soap  lini- 
ment. If  the  animal  improves  keep  up  the  stimu- 
lants for  a  day  or  two,  but  give  them  less  fre- 
quently. Brandy  or  whisky  will  be  found  more  use- 
ful in  the  later  stage  than  the  ammonia  or  ether. 
When  relieved  feed  the  pig  milk  and  oatmeal  gruel 
for  a  few  days. 

PNEUMONIA  (INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  LUNGS.) 

Pneumonia  may  be  defined  as  an  inflammation 
of  the  true  lung  substance  and  the  connective  tis- 
sue. This  disease  attacks  all  kinds  of  animals,  but 
there  are  none  in  which  it  is  so  fatal  as  the  hog. 
The  reason  of  this  is  in  a  great  measure  due  to  not 
detecting  the  disease  early  and  after  it  has  been 
detected  the  great  difficulty  we  have  in  treating  it 
properly  in  the  pig. 


1]0  DISEASES    OF    THE    IJOG. 

Causes:  Season  and  locality;  it  is  more  preva- 
lent in  the  cold  weather  than  in  summer;  sudden 
variations  of  temperature,  especially  if  it  is  wet; 
particular  states  of  the  health,  it  being  more  liable 
to  attack  animals  weakened  by  previous  disease. 
It  is  sometimes  the  result  of  catarrh  and  sore  throat 
especially  if  the  animal  is  exposed  to  cold  and  wet 
while  suffering  from  these  diseases.  It  is  caused 
by  direct  irritation,  such  as  medicinal  liquids  and 
gases  which  find  their  way  into  the  bronchial 
tubes  and  thence  into  the  tissue;  from  wounds  or 
portions  of  fractured  ribs  penetrating  the  sub- 
stance of  the  lungs;  it  is  also  the  result  of  foul  air 
and  is  sometimes  caused  from  the  so-called  epizoo- 
tic inlluences  or  agents  and  from  pulmonary  con- 
gestion. 

Symptoms:  Pneumonia  is'  usually  ushered  in 
by  a  chill,  followed  by  fever,  difficult  short  breath- 
ing, cough  and,  if  the  animal  is  forced  to  move,  will 
show  signs  of  pain  and  in  some  cases  will  squeal. 
Occasionally  the  symptoms  of  the  disease  are  pre- 
ceded by  general  uneasiness,  dulness,  loss  of  ap- 
petite, and  more  or  less  fever,  when,  as  the  disease 
advances,  the  pulse  will  increase  in  frequency  and 
will  often  reach  from  one  hundred  and  twenty  to 
one  hundred  and  fifty  per  minute.  The  cough  is 
often  very  troublesome,  dry  at  first,  but  as  the  dis- 
ease goes  on  it  will  become  softer.  It  is  a  cough 
which  brings  no  relief  to  the  animal ;  but  when  the 
mucus  begins  to  form  and  the  animal  can  bring 
some  up  it  then  gets  relief.  About  this  period  if 
the  fever  abates  the  animal  moves  about  and  takes 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  Ill 

a  little  food,  the  pulse  is  less  frequent,  the  breath- 
ing slower  and  easier,  the  chances  are  good  for  its 
recovery.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  fever  persists 
and  the  pig  becomes  more  restless  and  the  advanc- 
ing temperature  which  in  the  early  stages  of  the 
disease  would  be  one  hundred  and  two  to  one  hun- 
dred and  three  now  jumps  up  to  one  hundred  and 
five  to  one  hundred  and  six,  and  the  matter  the  ani- 
mal coughs  up  is  of  a  red,  rusty  color,  the  eyes 
sunken  and  the  animal  very  weak,^it  will  likely  die. 
The  duration  of  the  disease  is  from  eight  to  four- 
teen days. 

Post  Mortem.  The  general  pathological  condi- 
tion of  the  lung  tissue  is  hj'peremia  and  swelling 
with  a  variable  constituted  fibrinous  exudation, 
chiefiy  of  the  small  bronchi  and  air  cells,  with 
usually  a  considerable  quantity  of  serum  surround- 
ing the  outside  of  the  lungs.  This  is  the  usual  ap- 
pearance of  those  which  die  about  the  sixth  or 
eighth  day.  The  second  stage,  that  of  exudation, 
red  hepatization  or  red  softening,  is  characterized 
by  a  deep  red,  reddish  brown  or  grayish-red  color, 
the  absence  of  crepitation  under  pressure.  The  dis- 
eased lung  is  so  much  increased  in  density  that  it 
will  sink  in  water.  The  grayish  color  sometimes 
observed  is  owing  to  an  intermixture  of  particles 
of  black  pulmonary  matter  and  to  the  lighter  hue 
of  the  interlobular  tissue,  which  is  occasionally  less 
congested  than  the  other  parts.  In  some  case«  the 
softening  is  so  great  that  it  may  be  easily  torn  and 
the  fingers  may  pass  through  its  structure  with 
very  little  resistance.  When  cut  into  with  a  knife  it 


112  Disease.^  of  the  hoo. 

somewhat  resembles  the  liver;  on  this  account  it  is 
termed  hepatized.  When  pressed  between  the 
fingers  a  reddish  fluid  will  ooze  out  The  cut  sur- 
face of  the  lung  exhibits  numberless  minute  gran- 
ules which  are  probably  the  air  cells  filled  with  a 
concrete  fibrous  exudation.  In  red  hepatization 
the  bronchial  tubes,  the  blood  vessels,  and  the  in- 
terlobular areolar  tissue  are  still  obvious  to  exam- 
ination. The  lungs  do  not  collapse  upon  exposure 
to  the  atmosphere,  as  they  do  in  health.  In  the 
third  stage  there  are  two  conditions,  namely  gray 
hepatization  and  the  other  abscess.  In  the  former 
the  lung  is  compact  and  of  a  gray  color,  both  ex- 
ternally and  internally,  and  when  cut  into  a  yellow- 
ish opaque  purulent  fluid  mixed  w^ith  blood  is  seen. 
It  is  much  softer  than  red  hepatization  and  if  lifted 
will  likely  fall  to  pieces.  In  the  abscess  stage  the 
lung  may  be  a  mass  of  abscesses  or  single  ones.  I 
have  seen  cases  in  which  one  of  the  lungs  was  a 
mass  of  matter  held  in  by  the  membrane  covering 
the  lung.  If  the  hepatization  is  extensive  the  ani- 
mal usually  dies  before  it  has  time  to  break  down 
into  pus,  but  if  only  one  lung  is  affected  the  animal 
may  live  long  enough  for  it  to  do  so.  Gangrene  is 
not  a  common  result  of  pneumonia  in  ordinary 
cases,  but  I  have  often  found  the  lungs  in  this  con- 
dition in  pigs  that  died  from  hog  cholera  or  swine 
phigue. 

Treatment:  In  no  disease  is  it  more  important 
to  make  a  proper  discrimination  in  the  treatment. 
The  measures  which  would  be  beneficial  in  one  case 
might  cause  a  fatal  termination  in  another.    Aui- 


DISEASES    OP   THE    HOG.  113 

tnals  of  a  vigorous  constitution  want  reducing  med- 
icine, such  as  a  dose  of  epsom  salts,  one  to  two 
ounces,  and  follow  this  by  giving  two  to  three  drops 
of  the  fluid  extract  of  veratrum  viride  every  two  or 
three  hours,  if  it  does  not  cause  vomiting.  There  is 
no  medicine  in  the  materia  medica  which  I  find  so 
useful  as  veratrum  viride  in  pneumonia  in  the  pig 
if  it  be  in  a  vigorous  condition.  To  prevent  vomit- 
ing give  from  six  to  ten  drops  of  laudanum  a  short 
time  before  giving  the  veratrum.  Very  often  if  the 
case  is  seen  early  it  will  recover  without  any 
farther  treatment,  but,  should  it  prove  obsti- 
nate, it  will  be  proper  to  resort  to  calo- 
mel ;  two  to  three  grains  of  calomel  should  be  given 
with  one  grain  of  opium  twice  a  day.  It  will  be 
found  useful  to  add  half  a  grain  of  ipecacuanha  to 
the  above;  should  it  not  agree  with  the  stomach 
leave  it  out  or  reduce  the  amount  to  one  fourth  of  a 
grain.  It  is  important  to  push  the  mercury  until 
the  gums  become  sore,  then  stop.  In  the  declining 
stage  of  the  disease  expectorants  should  be  given, 
and  nothing  will  be  found  more  useful  for  this  pur- 
pose than  the  compound  syrup  of  squill  in  doses 
of  from  twenty  to  thirty  drops  two  or  three  times  a 
day.  If  the  breath  should  become  fetid  the  spirits 
of  turpentine  in  twenty  to  thirty  drops  three  or  four 
times  a  day  should  be  used.  Should  the  animal  be- 
come weak  give  stimulants  and  tonics;  carbonate 
of  ammonia  in  five  to  ten  grains  made  into  a  pill 
three  or  four  times  a  day  will  be  beneficial,  two 
tablespoonfuls  of  whisky  and  two  to  four  grains  of 
quinine,  also  cod  liver  oil,  brandy  and  eggs.    Feed 


ll4  DISEASES    O^    THE    HOG. 

on  anything  the  animal  will  take,  such  as  new  milk 
and  a  little  otmeal  gruel  and  all  the  eold  water  it 
wants.  When  gangrene  sets  in,  which  can  be 
easily  known  by  the  fetor  of  the  breath  and  a  dis- 
charge of  a  dirty,  foul-smelling  matter  from  the 
nose,  treatment  is  useless  in  the  pig. 

PLEURISY  (INFLAiinATION  OF  THE  PLEURA.) 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  pleura  which  lines 
the  cavity  of  the  chest.  This  is  one  of  the  most  fre- 
quent of  the  inflammatory  diseases  and  the  pig 
comes  in  for  its  share  of  it,  as  it  is  a  common  occur- 
rence to  find,  on  removing  the  lungs  of  a  pig  that 
had  been  in  good  condition  and  had  been  killed,  a 
part  of  the  membrane  adhering  to  the  walls  of  the 
chest,  caused^t  some  period  more  or  less  remote  by 
an  attack  of  pleurisy  more  or  less  severe.  A  pig 
may  be  affected  to  a  slight  extent  and  no  notice  be 
taken  of  it.  It  is  only  when  the  animal  has  a  severe 
attack  that  our  attention  is  drawn  to  it  by  the 
pig  being  off  its  food  and  appearing  sick. 

Causes  of  pleurisy :  Cold,  wet  weather  in  the  fall 
and  spring  and  the  pigs  having  wet  beds  to  sleep  in, 
cold  east  winds  and  the  pigs  not  having  a  comfort- 
able place  to  rest  and  get  warmed.  It  is  also  a  re- 
sult of  some  other  disease  such  as  rheumatism  and 
also  from  an  injury  such  as  a  kick  from  a  horse, 
etc.  Some  seasons  it  is  a  very  common  disease  and 
hundreds  of  pigs  die  from  it  and  its  true  nature  has 
not  been  known  by  the  owner  of  the  animal. 

Symptoms:  The  disease  usually  commences 
with  a  chill  and  a  sharp  pain  in  the  side,  which 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOC  115 

often  causes  the  animal  to  walk  lame  on  the  foreleg 
of  the  affected  side,  or  if  both  sides  are  affected  the 
animal  will  move  stiffly.  There  is  a  short  spasmodic 
cough  causing  much  distress.  The  breathing  is 
fast  and  short  and  the  abdominal  muscles  are 
brought  into  play  to  help  to  expel  the  air,  as  the 
pig  keeps  the  walls  of  its  chest  as  quiet  as  possible 
while  suffering  from  this  disease.  The  pulse  is 
fast,  small  and  hard  and  the  temperature  will  be 
elevated,  indicating  fever.  If  the  ribs  are  pressed 
upon  the  animal  will  evince  pain  and  may  squeal. 
It  is  not  easy  to  judge  the  amount  of  pain  a  pig  may 
suffer  by  pressure,  as  they  will  sometimes  squeal 
on  x)ressure  when  there  is  nothing  the  matter  with 
them;  still  when  other  symptoms  are  present  this 
one  will  assist.  When  there  is  much  fever  the  pig 
will  refuse  its  food,  but  may  drink  water.  In  bad 
cases  it  is  very  restless;  it  moves  about  with  its 
back  arched  and  stiff,  and  when  it  lies  down  it  will 
be  on  its  sternum.  If  the  pig  can  be  kept  quiet  and 
the  ear  applied  to  the  chest  in  the  early  stages  of 
the  disease  a  crackling  or  crepitating  sound  will  be 
heard  at  each  movement  of  the  lungs.  If  the  acute 
stage  is  not  relieved  it  goes  on  to  the  second  or  sub- 
acute; usually  at  this  stage  of  the  disease  there  is 
an  outpouring  of  fluid  into  the  cavity  of  the  chest ; 
as  this  increases  the  pain  diminishes,  but  the 
breathing  becomes  more  labored  and  difficult 
(dyspnea)  and  as  the  cavity  fills  up  diminishing  the 
breathing  space  the  animal  soon  dies  from  suffoca- 
tion. When  effusion  takes  place  the  pain  is  re- 
duced and  the  animal  may  appear  better  for  a  day 


116  DISEASES   OP   THE    HOG. 

or  two,  but  soon  a  low  form  of  fever  sets  in  and  if 
the  animal  is  not  relieved  will  die.  On  applying 
the  ear  to  the  affected  side  or  sides  the  friction 
sound  first  heard  will  have  disappeared  and  we 
may  be  able  to  detect  a  light  splashing  sound  and  a 
partial  or  complete  loss  of  respiratory  murmur, 
which  may  enable  us  to  detect  how  high  the  effu- 
sion has  risen.  Very  frequently  there  will  be  flakes 
of  lymph,  and  sometimes  false  membrane  will  form. 
I  have  seen  some  cases  that  have  died  when  one 
could  collect  handf uls  of  this  false  product 

Termination :  Simple  pleurisy  of  one  side  usual- 
ly terminates  favorably  if  treated  properly  and  in 
the  early  stages.  When  effusion  has  taken  place 
the  chances  of  cure  are  less,  but  may  generally  be 
effected  in  cases  where  it  is  not  complicated  with 
other  diseases.  When  it  occurs  in  the  course  of 
febrile  affections  or  in  pigs  debilitated  from  some 
other  cause  it  almost  always  increases  the  danger 
and  often  hastens  the  fatal  issue.  Pleurisy  is  often 
present  in  cases  of  hog  cholera  and  no  doubt  it 
helps  on  the  fatal  termination  of  that  disease. 

Treatment:  First — Give  from  one  to  two  ounces 
sulphate  of  magnesia  in  half  a  pint  of  cold  water 
and  follow  this  with  fluid  extract  of  veratrum 
viride  one  to  two  drops  mixed  with  fifteen  to  twenty 
drops  of  tincture  of  hyoscyamus  every  four  hours 
until  the  pulse  becomes  softer;  after  the  physic  has 
operated  if  the  cough  is  troublesome  and  the  ani- 
mal seems  to  be  in  pain  give  one  grain  each  of  pow- 
dered opium  and  ipecacuanha  in  a  pill  every  four 
hours;  also  give  from  ten  to  fifteen  grains  of  nitrate 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  117 

of  potassium  three  or  four  times  a  day  to  cool  the 
system  and  keep  the  kidneys  active.  If  the  inflam- 
mation should  continue  after  the  second  day  com- 
bine two  grains  of  calomel  with  the  opium  and 
ipecacuanha.  After  the  decline  of  the  fever  should 
effusion  still  remain  give  syrup  of  squills  with  digi- 
talis, a  dram  of  the  former  and  two  drops  of  the 
fluid  extract  of  the  latter  at  a  dose  three  times  a  day 
and  apply  a  cantharidal  blister  to  the  sides.  If  the 
system  is  in  a  depleted  condition  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  give  tonics  and  stimulants;  nothing  is  bet- 
ter for  this  purpose  than  tincture  chloride  of  iron  in 
dram  doses  with  two  to  four  grains  of  quinine  three 
times  a  day  in  a  little  syrup;  if  the  cough  should 
continue  give  the  opium  as  above.  I  have  found 
benefit  from  the  use  of  the  compound  syrup  of 
squill  in  thirty  drop  doses  three  times  a  day.  Also 
give  iodide  of  potassium  in  ten  grain  doses  between 
times.  The  animaPs  strength  should  be  supported 
by  milk,  eggs  and  whisky;  the  whisky  acts  as  a 
stimulant  and  aids  digestion. 

EMPHYSEMA  OF  THE  LUNQS. 

This  name  has  been  applied  to  that  affection  of 
the  lungs  in  which  their  tissue  is  morbidly  dis- 
tended with  air.  There  are  two  varieties  of  this 
derangement,  one  in  which  the  air  ce]ls  are  dis- 
tended, and  the  other  in  w^hich  the  air  has  escaped 
from  the  cells  into  extravesicular  or  interlobular 
areolar  tissue  or  upon  the  surface  of  the  lung  be- 
neath the  pleura.     This  complaint  is  not  uncom- 


118  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

men  in  the  pig;  but  is  not  often  noticed  until  after 
death. 

Causes:  Emphysema  is  often  the  result  of  over 
exertion  as  when  a  pig  is  pursued  by  a  dog  or  man 
the  increased  amount  of  air  taken  in  overfills  the 
air  cells,  which  distends  them  to  such  a  degree  that 
they  may  rupture  and  thus  allow  the  air  to  extrav- 
asate  into  the  lung  tissue,  or  the  air  cells  do  not 
contract  to  their  natural  size.  It  is  also  the  result 
of  lung  disease. 

Symptoms:  Slight  emphysema  cannot  be  de- 
tected in  the  pig  until  after  death,  but  when  so 
considerable  as  to  produce  observable  effects  it  is 
always  attended  with  dyspnea  (difficult  breathing), 
which  is  very  distressing  to  the  pig  and  is  often 
associated  with  thumps,  or  rather  it  is  often  mis- 
taken for  thumps.  Pigs  often  die  suddenly  from 
emphysema.  Cough  is  sometimes  present;  during 
severe  paroxysms  there  may  be  an  expectoration  of 
a  clear  fluid  or  it  may  be  frothy;  the  animal  will 
stand  during  the  intervals  of  the  paroxysms  with 
its  mouth  open  and  turning  its  head  to  one  side 
'with  the  nose  pointed  upwards.  In  post  mortems 
that  have  been  made  of  animals  that  died 
of  emphysema  we  find  that  the  lungs  do 
not  collapse  on  opening  the  chest,  but 
sometimes  on  the  contrary  expand,  as  if 
previously  compressed  by  the  ribs  and  dia- 
phragm. This  is  the  result  of  the  inelastic  or  rigid 
condition  of  the  membrane  which  forms  the  air 
cells.  In  consequence  of  this  rigidity  they  do  not 
contract  upon  the  aiv  which  they  contain  and  there- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  119 

fore  remain  distended.  The  lungs  are  very  light  and 
do  not  sink  in  water  as  in  the  sound  state.  It  cre- 
pitates less  upon  pressure,  has  a  firm  feeling,  and 
pits  under  the  finger.  The  surface  of  the  lung  will 
be  found  uneven  on  account  of  some  parts  of  it  be- 
ing more  distended  than  others.  Some  of  these  pro- 
jections may  be  single  and  not  larger  than  a  pea; 
that  these  are  distended  air  cells  is  proved  by  the 
circumstances  that  they  cannot  be  moved  from 
place  to  place  under  the  pleura  by  pressure.  When 
a  diseased  lung  is  cut  into  the  air  cells  are  found  to 
be  in  various  degrees  enlarged  generally  to  about 
the  size  of  a  millet  seed,  sometimes  to  that  of  a 
hazel  nut  and  sometimes  larger.  The  small  ones 
are  merely  dilated  vesicles,  the  larger  are  pro- 
duced by  the  rupture  of  the  intervening  coats  and 
the  gradual  absorption  of  the  torn  walls  of  the 
cells.  The  dilatation  may  affect  only  one  or  a  few 
cells  or  may  occupy  isolated  spots  as  single  lobules; 
for  example,  while  others  remain  unchanged  or 
may  extend  to  large  and  continuous  portions  of  the 
parenchyma  it  may  be  confined  to  one  lung  or  both 
may  be  affected.  When  only  one  lung  is  affected 
it  will  be  found  to  be  so  much  larger  than  the  other 
that  it  will  displace  the  mediastinum  and  heart 
The  dilatation  most  frequently  affects  the  anterior 
and  its  borders  than  elsewhere.  The  edges  of  the 
tubes  are  sometimes  fringed  with  the  projecting 
dilated  vesicles  of  different  sizes.  The  small  bron- 
chial tubes  are  usually  also  dilated  in  the  emphyse- 
matous parts.  In  consequence  of  a  diminished  sup- 
ply of  blood  to  the  affected  parts  of  the  lung  it  will 


120  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

have  a  whitish  appearance  whieh  will  contrast 
with  the  healthy  portion.  The  lung  is  also  less 
moist  than  in  health. 

Treatment:  Keep  such  an  animal  as  quiet  as 
possible,  and  in  the  majority  of  cases  it  will  take 
on  fat.  If  the  paroxysms  of  dyspnea  are  severe  give 
from  one  to  two  drams  of  Hoffman's  anodyne  in  a 
little  cold  water  every  half  hour  until  relieved,  or 
twenty  to  thirty  drops  of  tincture  of  opium  in  a 
little  water  every  hour  until  relieved. 

CHRONIC  COUGH. 

Pigs  are  very  subject  to  cough,  which  in  a  great 
many  cases  does  not  seem  to  affect  the  health  of 
the  animal. 

Causes:  Cough  in  pigs  may  arise  from  several 
causes,  worms,  indigestion,  disordered  liver  and 
irritation  of  the  membrane  of  the  throat.  If  a  num- 
ber of  pigs  are  affected  with  a  cough  at  the  same 
time  it  will  only  be  a  symptom  of  some  other  dis- 
ease. If  possible  find  the  cause  and  remove  it.  If 
this  cannot  be  done  give  the  pig  a  dose  of  epsom 
salts  and  keep  it  in  a  warm,  comfortable  place,  and 
if  this  does  not  relieve  it  give  a  teaspoonful  of 
syrup  of  squill  at  a  dose  three  times  a  day.  If 
worms  are  suspected  give  one  half  oz.  fluid  extract 
of  spigelia  and  senna  at  a  dose  every  four  hours 
until  it  purges.  In  cases  of  chronic  cough  caused 
by  indigestion  give  a  dose  of  salts  and  after  it  has 
operated  give  ten  grains  of  sulphate  of  iron,  ton 
grains  of  gentian  and  ^ye  grains  of  nux  vomica  at 
a  dose  in  its  food  twice  a  day  for  two  weeks.    An- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  121 

other  useful  remedy  is  Fowler- s  solution  of  arsenic 
given  in  five  drop  doses  three  times  a  day  in  the 
food  and  continued  for  five  or  six  weeks.  Tar  given 
in  teaspoonful  doses  in  the  food  three  times  a  day 
is  also  good  and  as  it  cannot  do  any  harm  it  is 
worth  a  trial. 

BLEEDING  FROM  THE  LUNG  (HEMOPTYSIS.) 

This  is  not  a  common  disease  in  the  pig  and 
the  only  cases  that  have  come  under  my  observa- 
tion have  been  caused  by  over  exertion  and  usually 
have  resulted  in  death;  therefore,  I  look  upon  it  as 
a  very  dangerous  symptom  in  this  animal.  I  have 
no  doubt  but  that  cases  may  occur  in  pigs  from 
causes  similar  to  those  of  the  human  family. 

Causes:  Over  exertion  from  being  driven  too 
fast,  fighting  with  each  other,  being  kicked  by 
horses,  violent  squealing  and  severe  coughing, 
falls,  etc.  It  may  also  be  caused  by  disease  of  the 
air  passages  or  the  lung  substance,  bronchitis  or 
pneumonia;  in  such  cases  the  blood  vessels  have 
been  weakened,  and  the  extra  quantity  of  blood  in 
the  parts  causes  the  blood  to  extravasate  into  the 
lung  tissue  and  air  cells. 

Symptoms:  The  blood  may  issue  both  from  the 
nostrils  and  mouth  of  the  pig,  but  most  commonly 
from  the  nostrils.  It  is  usually  liquid,  florid  and 
more  or  less  frothy,  owing  to  the  admixture  of  air. 
If  the  quantity  issuing  is  great  it  will  be  less 
frothy.  There  will  be  more  or  less  cough  and  if 
severe  there  will  be  a  feeling  of  suffocation.     If 


122  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

bronchitis  should  be  present  there  may  be  more  or 
less  mucus  mixed  with  the  blood. 

Treatment:  The  pig  should  be  kept  as  quiet  as 
possible.  It  often  does  more  harm  than  good  to 
confine  a  pig  to  give  it  medicine  in  such  cases,  and 
a  slight  hemorrhage  is  often  beneficial  to  the  ani- 
mal in  relieving  congestion.  If  the  hemorrhage 
should  be  severe  give  hypodermic  injections  of  the 
fluid  extract  of  ergot  of  rye  in  two  dram  doses;  re- 
peat every  hour  until  stopped.  Other  remedies 
which  are  used  with  success  in  man  cannot  be  of 
much  service  in  the  pig. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  123 


CHAPTER  X. 
DISEASES  OF  THE  HEART. 

Disease  of  the  heart  is  of  very  rare  occurrence 
as  an  independent  disease  in  the  pig,  as  their  life 
is  short  and  the  great  majority  of  them  are  sent  to 
market  before  it  has  time  to  develop;  but  the  heart 
is  very  frequently  affected  in  conjunction  with 
other  diseases.  Although  I  have  had  no  well 
marked  cases  of  this  derangement  in  the  pig  and 
there  has  been  nothing  written  on  this  subject,  yet 
I  have  no  doubt  but  that  some  of  the  sudden  deaths 
which  sometimes  occur  in  the  hog  are  due  to  some 
form  of  heart  disease.  The  animal  is  usually  in 
such  apparent  good  health  up  to  the  time  of  death 
that  no  warning  is  given  and  it  is  only  after  mak- 
ing a  post  mortem  examination  that  the  true  nature 
of  the  disease  is  discovered. 

PERICARDITIS 
(INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  PERICARDIUM.) 

Pericarditis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  capsule 
surrounding  the  heart  and  reflected  over  it.  Endo- 
carditis is  an  inflammation  of  the  membrane  lininc 
the  cavities  of  the  heart.  Carditis  is  an  inflamma- 
tion of  the  substance  of  the  heart  itself.  As  it  is  im- 
possible to  diagnose  the  one  from  the  other  in  the 


124  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

pig  I  shall  describe  only  one.  I  have  met,  in  sev- 
eral cases  in  the  pig  while  examining  for  other  dis- 
eases, undoubted  signs  that  the  animal  had  had  an 
attack  of  pericarditis  at  some  former  time,  and 
there  is  no  doubt  but  that  at  times  when  a  pig 
shows  signs  of  being  a  little  off  it  may  sometimes 
be  this  disease.  It  is  often  associated  with  such 
diseases  as  rheumatism  and  pleurisy. 

Causes  of  Pericarditis:  The  most  common  causes 
are  exposure  to  cold,  direct  violence,  muscular  ex- 
ertion, such  as  running  when  a  pig  is  fat  and  heavy, 
rheumatism,  pleurisy  and  pneumonia  and  an  im- 
I)ure  condition  of  the  blood,  also  hog  cholera. 

Symptoms:  The  attack  is  usually  ushered  in 
witji  a  chill,  which  is  often  repeated  (that  is,  in  se- 
vere cases),  and  always  followed  by  fever.  The 
pulse  is  the  most  important  symptom.  In  the  earl}^ 
stages  of  the  disease  it  is  usually  full  and  some- 
what irregular  and  as  the  disease  advances  it  is  ex- 
ceedingly so,  and  on  this  account  it  can  be  distin- 
guished from  other  inflammatory  diseases.  The 
different  conditions  of  the  pulse  at  different  stages 
of  the  disease  may  be  considered  as  indicative  of 
the  condition  of  the  cardiac  muscles,  which  are  at 
first  irritated  into  excessive  action  as  shown  by  the 
strong,  full,  sharp,  irregular  pulse,  subsequently 
weakened  but  still  irregular,  and  lastly  exhausted 
by  excitement,  so  that  the  pulse  becomes  more  and 
more  feeble  till  the  close.  There  will  be  more  or 
U'ss  difficulty  in  the  breathing,  loss  of  appetite, 
although  the  animal  may  be  thirsty.  In  some  cases 
there  will  be  severe  pain  indicated  by  the  animal 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOa.  125 

being  restless  or  in  some  cases  squealing.  Little 
can  be  obtained  from  physical  signs  in  the  pig  and 
we  have  to  content  ourselves  with  the  other  symp- 
toms; but  no  great  mistake  can  be  made  if  we  treat 
the  inflammation  and  fever  on  general  principles. 
Post  mortem  examination  reveals  effusion  in  the 
cavity;  this  usually  begins  about  the  third  day  and 
if  the  disease  is  not  checked  it  increases  until  the 
end.  There  is  also  a  fibrinous  matter  or  lymph 
which  is  at  first  generally  in  the  form  of  a  soft,  deli- 
cate film  over  the  surface  of  the  membrane  from 
which  it  is  easily  separated;  by  degrees  this  be- 
comes thicker  and  thicker  over  the  surface  of  the 
membrane  until  in  some  cases  it  will  be  found  to  be 
an  inch  in  thickness  and  somewhat  hard.  The  oc- 
currence of  such  changes  must  add  greatly  -to  the 
danger  of  the  disease  and  indicates  the  need  of 
prompt  application  of  efficient  treatment  before  it 
reaches  this  point.  The  changes  which  take  place 
are  not  always  the  same.  In  some  violent  cases  the 
disease  has  been  known  to  run  its  course  in  a  very 
short  time  and  to  terminate  in  forty-eight  hours. 
In  other  cases  the  inflammation  terminates  in  a 
few  days  before  the  effusion  takes  place.  Some- 
times mild  cases  may  last  for  several  weeks  and 
the  animal  recover.  When  it  is  likely  to  prove  fatal 
the  animal  becomes  very  weak  and  staggers  about, 
refuses  food,  the  pulse  is  small  and  fast — from  one 
hundred  and  twenty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty. 
There  is  usually  some  anasarca  between  the  fore 
legs;  an  animal  in  this  condition  is  liable  to  die  at 
any  moment  from  loss  of  heart  power. 


126  t>lf?EASE??    DF   THE   HOrl. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stage  of  the  disease 
give  from  ten  to  fifteen  grains  of  eah)niel  at  a  dose, 
followed  in  three  or  four  hours  with  from  one  to 
two  ounces  of  castor  oil.  This  will  often  cut  the 
disease  short.  After  the  bowels  have  been  freely 
acted  on  and  the  fever  continues  with  a  hard, 
strong  pulse,  give  two  to  three  drops  of  the  fluid 
extract  of  veratrum  viride  every  four  hours  until 
the  pulse  becomes  softer  and  less  frequent.  Ten 
grains  of  nitrate  of  potassium  given  in  a  little 
water  three  times  a  day  will  be  of  service  in  keep- 
ing the  kidneys  active.  If  the  pig  should  be  in 
much  pain  give  one  grain  each  of  opium  and  ipe- 
cacuanha three  or  four  times  a  day  in  pill.  If  the 
bowels  should  become  confined  give  one  half  to 
one  ounce  of  sulphate  of  magnesia.  After  the 
fourth  day  the  animal  should  get  ten  grains  of 
iodide  of  potassium  three  times  a  day  and  if  the 
heart  is  very  irregular  give  two  to  three  drops  of 
the  fluid  extract  of  digitalis  three  times  daily.  If 
the  animal  becomes  weak  its  strength  should  be 
supported  by  stimulants,  such  as  carbonate  of  am- 
monia in  from  five  to  ten  grain  doses  three  times  a 
day  or  whisky  and  milk.  During  the  disease  give 
the  pig  all  the  sweet  milk  it  will  take,  with  some 
roots  or  fresh  clover,  if  it  can  be  obtained.  A  little 
oatmeal  gruel  will  also  be  beneficial.  Keep  the  pig 
in  a  comfortable  place. 

HYPERTROPHY  AND  DILATION  OF  THE  HEART. 

Hypertrophy  and  dilatation  of  the  heart  are  not 
readily  detected  in  the  pig  while  it  is  alive.    I  have 


disf:ases  of  the  hog.  127 

never  detected  a  case  of  it  A  pig  may  have  this 
trouble  and  still  take  on  fat,  and  as  it  is  a  disease 
which  is  slow  in  producing  bad  symptoms,  the  pig 
is  sent  to  market  before  it  would  likely  be  detected. 
I  have  seen  some  hearts  of  pigs  which  were  killed 
for  pork  and  also  died  from  other  diseases  which 
had  enlarged  or  dilated  hearts.  If  we  did  detect 
such  a  case  treatment  would  be  of  no  service. 

FUNCTIONAL  OR  NERVOUS  DISEASES  OF  THE  HEART. 

The  only  one  in  the  pig  which  will  come  under 
this  head  is  palpitation  of  the  heart  (thumps).  This 
term  is  given  when  the  pulsations  of  the  heart  are 
inordinate  and  can  be  perceived  by  the  observer. 
It  is  a  very  common  and  fatal  disease  in  the  pig. 

Causes:  Palpitation  is  rather  the  result  of  a 
disease  than  a  disease  itself.  It  is  usually  caused 
by  an  unhealthy  state  of  the  blood  which  may  be 
either  too  rich  and  abundant,  causing  plethora,  or 
have  too  much  water  or  be  otherwise  depraved,  as 
in  anemia.  The  true  causes  are  therefore  such  as 
produce  either  of  those  conditions.  It  may  also  in 
some  cases  be  caused  by  a  deranged  state  of  the 
stomach.  It  is  frequently  the  result  of  rheumatic 
irritation  affecting  the  heart  through  the  nerves. 
Worms  in  the  intestines  will  sometimes  produce 
it.  The  most  frequent  cause  of  this  disease  in  the 
pig  is  a  morbid  condition  of  the  system,  the  result 
of  feeding  too  much  corn  or  food  deficient  in  nitro- 
gen. 

Symptoms :  The  pulsations  are  increased  in  fre- 
quency or  in  force  or  both;  they  are  sometimes 


J  28  DISEASES  01^  THE  IJOG. 

regular,  but  more  frequently  irregular;  the  pulse 
partakes  of  the  same  qualities.  The  pig  is  seen  to 
stand  and  its  body  is  jerked  forwards  and  back- 
wards every  second  or  so.  In  some  cases  it  is  very 
slight  and  in  others  very  violent;  the  sound  is  loud 
and  can  be  heard  at  some  distance.  It  sounds  as  if 
some  one  was  striking  the  pig  on  the  inside,  caus- 
ing the  whole  body  to  shake.  I  have  caught  the  hog 
so  affected  to  try  and  find  out  whether  it  was  the 
heart  or  the  diaphragm  that  was  affected,  but  the 
animal  struggled  so  that  an  examination  could  not 
be  satisfactorily  made;  but  I  have  no  doubt  but 
that  in  a  number  of  cases  both  the  heart  and  dia- 
phragm are  implicated  in  the  affection.  It  is  not  of 
much  importance,  as  the  treatment  would  be  the 
same  in  both  cases. 

Effects:  If  this  disease  is  not  soon  checked  in- 
jurious effects  are  sure  to  result  from  the  irregular 
supply  of  blood  consequent  on  this  affection.  After 
death  there  is  usually  found  considerable  effusion 
of  frothy  blood  around  the  heart  and  between  the 
lungs  and  diaphragm,  and  the  other  tissues  and 
organs  of  the  body  are  changed  in  appearance; 
they  are  soft  and  flabby,  with  more  or  less  con- 
gestion, especially  is  this  the  case  on  the  surface 
of  the  lungs. 

Treatment:  I  have  found  a  very  successful 
treatment  for  this  disease.  In  the  early  stages  give 
one  to  two  ounces  of  epsom  salts  or  one  to  two 
ounces  of  castor  oil;  follow  this  by  giving  from  fif- 
teen to  twenty  drops  each  of  tincture  of  opium  and 
digitalis  every  two  hours  until  the  animal  is  re- 


DISEASiES  OP  THE  HOG.  129 

lieved,  and  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  this  can 
be  done  in  from  twelve  to  eighteen  hours.  In  severe 
cases  the  dose  can  be  increased  or  given  oftener. 
Hoffman's  anodyne  in  dram  doses  given  in  a  little 
cold  v^ater  every  two  hours  in  cases  where  the  ani- 
mal is  much  exhausted  will  be  found  very  useful. 
If  this  cannot  be  obtained  give  two  drams  aromatic 
spirits  of  ammonia  every  hour  in  a  little  cold  water. 
As  soon  as  the  pig  will  take  food  feed  it  on  new 
milk  and  a  little  oatmeal  gruel  until  it  regains  its 
usual  health. 


CHAPTER  XL 
DISEASES  OF  THE  ARTERIES  AND  VEINS. 

These  are  of  very  rare  occurrence  in  the  pig  and 
as  they  usually  take  a  long  time  to  injure  the  health 
of  this  animal  it  can  be  fattened  and  sent  to  the 
market  before  it  causes  any  trouble;  therefore,  I 
will  not  take  up  the  reader's  time  describing  them. 


130  DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG. 


CHAPTEE  XII. 
APOPLEXY. 

This  derangement  is  almost  entirely  confined  to 
pigs  that  are  too  fat  and  are  getting  too  much  to 
eat. 

Symptoms :  If  the  animal  is  eating  it  will  stop 
suddenly,  appear  restless,  stupid  in  its  movements ; 
the  eyes  become  prominent  and  blood-shot;  it 
foams  at  the  mouth,  falls  over  and  may  die  in  a 
few  minutes;  others  may  fall  over  apparently  dead, 
and  in  a  few  moments  revive  and  get  well. 

Treatment :  Bleeding  from  the  veins  of  the  legs 
is  recommended.  Tie  a  string  tight  above  the  knee 
of  the  forelegs;  the  vein  on  the  inside  of  the  leg 
will  be  seen  to  fill  up;  then  take  a  sharp  knife  and 
make  an  opening  sufficient  to  allow  a  free  stream 
of  blood;  serve  the  other  one  in  the  same  way. 
After  removing  one  and  a  half  pints  of  blood,  pin 
up  the  wound  in  the  skin.  Press  a  small  pin 
through  the  skin  at  the  edges  of  the  wound  and  tie 
a  thread  around  the  ends  of  the  pin,  thus  closing 
the  wound.  Let  the  pins  remain  in  until  the  skin 
is  healed.  Hogs  that  are  over  fat  and  show  any 
signs  of  dullness  should  get  a  dose  of  epsom  salts 
— two  to  three  ounces — and  be  fed  sparingly  for  a 
few  days,  until  the  dulness  wears  off. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  131 

PLETHORA. 

This  is  a  morbid  increase  of  blood  beyond  tlie 
wants  of  the  system.  It  is  not,  however,  a  mere 
augmentation  of  volume  in  the  circulating  fluid 
that  is  entitled  to  this  name.  This  may  result  from 
an  excess  of  the  watery  ingredient  and  is  not  in- 
compatible with  the  state  of  the  animal  which  is 
opposite  to  that  of  plethora.  There  must  be  a  mor- 
bid increase  of  those  constituents  of  the  blood  upon 
which  its  nutritive  and  stimulating  properties  de- 
pend and  to  which  it  owes  its  peculiar  character, 
such  as  the  red  corpuscles,  fibrin  and  albumen. 
There  may  or  may  not  be  any  increase  of  bulk.  It 
is  not  necessary  that  there  should  be  an  absolute 
increase  of  the  blood  in  order  to  the  existence  of 
the  disease.  The  quantity  may  remain  precisely 
the  same  and  yet  if  the  wants  of  the  system  for  the 
support  of  its  various  functions  should  diminish 
the  phenomena  of  plethora  may  result;  for  it  is  the 
loss  of  balance  between  the  supply  and  consump- 
tion, the  former  being  in  excess,  that  constitutes 
the  affection.    (Wood). 

Causes  of  Plethora:  A  loss  of  equilibrium  be- 
tween the  supplying  and  expending  processes  is 
the  immediate  cause  of  plethora.  Digestion  and 
absorption  are  relatively  more  vigorous  than  nu- 
trition and  secretion.  Thus  feeding  pigs  more  than 
they  ought  to  be  fed  will  produce  this  effect,  espe- 
cially if  the  animal  has  little  exercise.  In  some 
cases  digestion  and  absorption  may  be  healthy 
while  nutritioi?  and  secretion  may  be  in  a  deranged 


132  DTSEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

state.  Some  animals  have  a  peculiar  tendency  to 
the  overproduction  of  blood  and  become  plethoric 
without  any  assignable  cause. 

Symptoms:  Pigs  affected  with  this  disease  are 
stupid,  lie  around,  and  if  made  to  rise  will  show 
signs  of  vertigo,  stagger  and  in  some  cases  fall. 
There  is  often  palpitation  of  the  heart  and  op- 
pressed breathing;  the  lips,  tongue  and  conjunc- 
tiva are  red  and  sometimes  somewhat  swollen; 
bleeding  from  the  nose  sometimes  takes  place.  I 
have  known  some  few  cases  in  which  the  pig  was 
very  fat  and  at  the  same  time  affected  with  this 
disease  in  which  the  animal  lost  the  use  of  its  legs. 
The  pulse  is  full  and  somewht  accelerated. 

Treatment:  Regulate  the  diet.  Give  milk  and 
oatmeal  in  small  quantities  and  turn  the  pig  out 
so  that  it  will  get  an  opportunity  to  move  about, 
and  in  some  cases  it  should  be  compelled  to  move 
around  for  a  short  time  each  day  in  order  to  stimu- 
late secretion.  Give  one  to  two  ounces  of  epsom 
salts  and  after  this  operates  give  bicarbonate  of 
potassium  in  two  dram  doses  three  times  a  day.  If 
the  animal  loses  the  use  of  its  legs  they  should  be 
rubbed  several  times  a  day. 

ANEMIA. 

Anemia  is  a  morbid  deficiency  or  poverty  of  the 
blood,  caused  by  lessening  of  the  nutritive  con- 
stituents of  the  blood  and  an  increase  of  the  watery 
parts.  Young  pigs  get  into  this  state  without  any 
apparent  cause. 


DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG.  133 

Symptoms:  There  will  be  puffy  swellings  around 
the  eyelids,  between  the  wings  of  the  lower  jaw 
and  between  the  fore  legs.  The  animal  becomes 
unthrifty,  although  it  may  eat  well.  The  mucous 
membrane  of  the  mouth  and  eyelids  becomes  pale. 
The  i)ig  is  very  often  troubled  with  a  cough  and  a 
discharge  from  the  nose.  I  have  seen  young  pigs 
affected  by  this  derangement  have  fits  and  when 
the  cause  of  the  disease  was  removed  and  the  dis- 
ease itself  properly  treated  the  fits  disappeared. 
There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  nervous  system  suf- 
fers more  or  less  from  anemia. 

Treatment :  Kemove  the  cause  if  possible ;  this  is 
often  accomplished  by  giving  a  complete  change 
of  diet.  It  will  be  advisable  to  give  one  to  two 
ounces  of  epsom  salts  or  one  to  two  ounces  of  castor 
oil  to  clear  out  the  stomach  and  intestines,  then 
give  from  ten  drops  to  one  dram  of  the  tincture 
chloride  of  iron  in  the  food  three  times  a  day.  A 
dessert  spoonful  of  cod  liver  oil  three  times  a  day 
is  very  useful.  Allow  the  pigs  to  run  out  This  is 
usually  all  the  treatment  that  is  necessary. 


134  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

PURULENT  INFECTIONS  OF  THE  BLOOD. 

By  this  is  meant  a  diseased  state  of  the  blood  at- 
tended with  a  low  form  of  fever  dependent  on  the 
absorption  of  poisonous  material  from  the  decom- 
position of  tissue  into  pus.  This  sometimes  takes 
place  after  castration  or  other  wounds  that  the  ani- 
mal may  receive.  There  is  a  tendency  in  this  dis- 
ease for  abscesses  to  form  in  various  parts  of  the 
body;  they  are  especially  liable  to  form  on  the 
lungs  and  liver.  In  pigs  which  have  died  of  this 
disease  I  have  found  a  number  of  abscesses,  vary- 
ing from  the  size  of  a  pea  to  that  of  a  walnut; 
these  abscesses  may  be  found  in  any  part  of  the 
body,  even  in  the  muscles.  These  purulent  collec- 
tions are  usually  surrounded  by  more  or  less  in- 
flammation. There  is  also  a  tendency  to  a  low  form 
of  erysiijelatous  inflammation  in  various  parts  of 
the  body,  ending  frequently  in  gangrenous  ab- 
scesses, which  usually  terminate  fatally.  The 
symptoms  of  this  disease  are  not  well  marked  at 
first  in  the  pig.  The  animal  refuses  food  and  has 
shivering  fits;  it  lies  around  and  does  not  want  to 
get  up;  if  it  does  so  it  will  act  stupidly,  breathe 
fast,  the  pulse  will  be  fast  and  weak,  the  tempera- 


DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG.  I35 

ure  will  be  from  uue  liiiiidred  aud  live  to  one  hun- 
dred and  six;  this  low  form  of  fever  may  be  all 
that  is  noticeable,  but  if  these  symptoms  should 
take  place  after  an  operation  or  an  injury  there 
need  be  no  mistake.  In  some  cases  there  will  ap- 
pear abscesses  of  the  external  part  of  the  body  hav- 
ing a  tendency  to  gangrene,  or  they  may  heal,  but 
otliers  will  make  their  appearance  and  so  on  until 
the  animal  dies. 

Treatment:  This  should  be  of  a  stimulant  and 
tonic  nature,  such  as  good  whisky  or  brandy  or 
carbonate  of  ammonia  in  from  five  to  ten  grain 
doses  three  or  four  times  a  day.  The  tincture  chlo- 
ride of  iron  in  dram  doses  well  diluted  three  times 
a  day  is  one  of  the  best.  Nitro-hydrochloric  acid  in 
doses  of  from  ten  to  fifteen  drops  well  diluted  three 
times  a  day  is  also  good.  The  strength  should  be 
kept  up  by  giving  new  milk  and  eggs  beaten  up 
and  mixed  with  a  little  whisky  and  the  pig  kept  in  a 
dry,  comfortable  place.  If  abscesses  should  form 
they  should  be  opened  as  soon  as  ripe  and  dressed 
with  peroxide  of  hydrogen  one  part,  water  two 
parts.  If  the  sores  become  gangrenous  apply  a 
little  terchloride  of  antimony  to  destroy  the  un- 
healthy parts;  then  use  oxide  of  zinc  one  ounce, 
vaseline  tw^o  ounces;  use  a  little  twice  a  day. 


136  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

ANTHRAX  OF  THE  PIQ. 

Anthrax.  There  are  a  number  of  diseases  of  the 
pig  which  come  under  this  head,  and  all  are  of  a 
carbuncular  nature;  that  is,  it  is  a  constitutional 
fever  at  first  affecting  the  finer  tissues  of  the  body 
and  finally  locating  on  some  particular  part,  caus- 
ing either  large  swellings  or  pustules  on  the  part 
affected,  and  if  there  is  a  tendency  to  the  disease 
prevailing  swine  are  sure  to  come  in  for  their  share 
of  it.  In  this  affection  the  blood  is  darker  than  in 
health,  and  the  name  "charbon"  has  been  given  to 
it  by  some  writers.  This  condition  is  caused  by  a 
bacillus  called  the"Bacillus  Anthracis,"  a  very  large 
bacterium.  This  vegetable  organism  gains  entry 
into  the  blood,  and  there  multiplies  by  rapid  repro- 
duction. It  is  imagined  that  it  wars  with  the  red 
corpuscles  for  the  possession  of  oxygen,  and  soon 
all  the  higher  tissues  become  implicated.  It  is  said 
that  heat  and  moisture  are  favorable  for  their  de- 
velopment and  that  the  disease  is  more  common 
in  the  spring  and  fall  when  the  weather  is  warm 
and  moist.  Pasteur  made  a  number  of  experi- 
ments and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  bacilli 
gained  entrance  into  the  system  with  the  food,  and 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  137 

Avoimds  about  the  mouth  were  the  points  of  entry. 
A  number  of  experiments  1  made  with  these  bacilli 
were  by  no  means  satisfactory,  unless  injected 
directly  into  the  tissue.  I  have  seen  outbreaks  of 
this  disease  in  cold  weather  when  everything  was 
in  an  unfavorable  condition  for  the  development 
of  the  bacilli.  I  consider,  from  what  has  been  done, 
that  it  has  been  proven  that  the  bacilli  will  cause 
the  disease,  but  how  it  gains  entrance  into  the 
animal  body  has  not  been  satisfactorily  proven. 
It  will  make  its  appearance  on  a  farm  where 
everything  is  favorable  for  the  development  of 
the  bacilli,  and  again  at  other  times  it  will  appear 
in  a  very  virulent  form  where  everything  is  kept 
in  the  best  hygienic  condition.  The  study  of  this 
disease  and  the  manner  in  which  the  outbreaks 
take  place  are  very  conflicting.  There  is  room  for 
much  more  work  in  this  line.  There  are  four  forms 
of  this  disease  in  the  pig.  First,  aphthous  fever; 
this  form  of  anthrax  commences  with  loss  of  appe- 
tite, uneasiness,  trembling,  anxious  and  staring 
look,  hot  mouth  and  an  increased  flow  of  saliva. 
Early  in  the  attack  pustules  appear  on  the  inside 
of  the  lip  and  margins  of  the  snout;  they  are  not 
numerous,  but  there  is  considerable  inflammation 
surrounding  them  which  causes  the  parts  to  swell. 
The  vesicles  are  at  first  white,  then  change  to  a 
brownish  color  or  in  some  cases  black.  They  gen- 
erally extend  up  the  nose,  which  is  somewhat 
swollen,  giving  the  animal  an  ugly  appearance. 
Shortly  the  vesicles  burst  and  the  tissue  beneath 
sloughs,  leaving  more  or  less  of  a  cavity  resembling 


138  DISEASES   OF  THE   HOG. 

au  ulcer.  At  other  times  there  may  be  a  slight  ele- 
vation of  a  fungous  nature.  I  have  seen  a  few  cases 
in  which  the  tissue  sloughed  clean  from  the  bone. 
The  breath  becomes  fetid,  usually  a  foul-smelling 
diarrhea  sets  in,  mixed  with  blood,  followed  by 
great  prostration,  the  animal  dies  in  from  twenty- 
four  to  forty-eight  hours  from  the  beginning  of  the 
attack;  some  few  cases  may  last  longer.  The  dis- 
ease is  contagious  and  all  the  well  pigs  should  be 
removed  at  once  from  the  affected  ones  and  from 
the  locality.  All  those  which  die  should  be  burned 
or  buried  deep,  with  a  good  coating  of  fresh  lime 
over  them. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stage  give  one  to  two 
ounces  of  epsom  salts  at  a  dose,  this  to  be  followed 
by  ten  to  fifteen  drops  of  the  oil  of  gaultheria  in  a 
little  syruj)  or  sweet  oil  or  a  solution  of  gum  arable 
three  or  four  times  a  day.  If  the  animal  is  weak, 
do  not  give  the  salts,  but  give  the  oil  of  gaultheria 
and  one  dram  of  tincture  chloride  of  iron  three  or 
four  times  daily.  If  there  is  foul-smelling  diarrhea 
I  have  found  great  benefit  by  giving  ten  grain 
doses  of  boracic  acid  three  or  six  times  a  day;  I 
have  given  as  much  as  two  drams  in  divided  doses 
in  twenty-four  hours;  it  is  best  given  in  a  table- 
spoonful  of  sweet  oil  or  cotton  seed  oil;  if  the  ani- 
mal seems  much  distressed  one  to  two  grains  of 
powdered  opium  can  be  added  to  the  acid.  The 
mouth  and  affected  parts  should  be  washed  several 
times  a  day  with  peroxide  of  hydrogen  (fifteen  vol- 
umes), one  part,  water  two  parts.  When  the  pus- 
tule sloughs  apply  a  little  terchloride  of  antimony 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  139 

to  it  to  destroy  the  diseased  tissue;  it  can  be  re- 
peated every  third  day  if  necessary.  I  have  had 
good  success  from  this  method  of  treatment.  The 
pig  should  be  fed  on  milk  and  if  it  will  not  take  it 
it  should  be  fed  with  a  little  milk  and  beaten  eggs, 
with  a  spoonful  of  good  whisky  in  it  to  help  diges- 
tion. 

NECK  ANTHRAX. 

This  form  of  anthrax  is  characterized  by  an 
eruption  of  boils  which  appear  on  the  back  of  the 
neck  over  the  parotid  glands  below  the  ear.  The 
bristles  on  the  affected  parts  stand  erect;  they  are 
dry  and  stiff,  and  if  touched  or  pulled  the  pig  will 
squeal  with  pain;  the  skin  is  discolored,  usually 
of  a  purple  tint;  there  is  high  fever,  loss  of  appe- 
tite, thirst,  grinding  the  teeth,  and  a  hot  clammy 
mouth;  there  is  difficulty  in  swallowing  and  op- 
pressed breathing,  which  would  indicate  sore 
throat;  the  affected  parts  usually  slough,  erysipe- 
las sets  in  and  the  animal  generally  dies  about  the 
ninth  or  tenth  day. 

Treatment:  Give  one  to  two  ounces  epsom  salts 
to  cool  the  system ;  then  give  five  to  eight  drops  of 
the  strong  nitro-muriatic  acid  at  a  dose  diluted  in 
a  wineglassful  of  water  three  or  four  times  a  day, 
continue  this  for  three  da^^s,  then  give  two  to  four 
grains  of  quinine  and  two  tablespoonfuls  of  whisky 
in  a  little  water  three  times  a  day  for  two  days, 
then  give  from  twenty  to  thirty  drops  of  tincture 
chloride  of  iron  at  a  dose  in  water  three  times  a 
day.    Bathe  the  affected  parts  three  times  a  day 


140  DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG. 

with  a  lotion  made  by  mixing  one  half  ounce  each 
of  acetate  of  lead,  sulphate  of  zinc  and  carbolic 
acid  in  a  quart  of  soft  water.  Feed  the  pig  on  oat 
meal  and  milk.  If  this  form  of  treatment  is  faith- 
fully^ carried  out  a  great  many  of  the  affected  ani- 
mals will  recover. 

QANQRLNOUS  ERYSIPELAS. 

This  is  another  of  the  anthrax  diseases  which 
affect  swine;  it  has  been  called  ^'wild  fire''  in  the 
Old  World.  This  derangement  begins  with  a  low 
form  of  fever,  the  animal  appears  dull,  does  not 
like  to  walk  or  stand,  but  lies  buried  in  the  straw 
or  anything  it  can  get  into;  the  temperature  is 
high,  the  pulse  fast  and  weak,  and  the  breathing 
quick  and  short;  red  spots  appear  on  the  breast, 
belly  and  inside  of  the  legs,  and  often  cause  swell- 
ing of  the  skin,  and  later  on  it  becomes  dry  and 
loose,  as  if  it  was  much  too  large  for  the  pig,  and 
crackles  on  pressure.  In  some  cases  the  greater 
part  of  the  skin  becomes  affected;  it  will  first  be 
red,  then  become  purple,  and  some  parts  in  the 
later  stages  of  the  disease  may  be  black  in  spots. 
In  others  it  forms  ridges  and  cracks.  The  hair 
drops  out  in  patches  and  the  animal  soon  becomes 
weak  and  cannot  stand  on  its  hind  legs,  and  usually 
dies  in  a  week  or  ten  days  from  the  beginning  of 
the  attack. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  part  of  the  disease  give 
ten  grains  each  of  aloes  and  calomel  at  a  dose  in  a 
little  gruel.  If  this  does  not  cause  purging  in  ten 
or  twelve  hours  repeat  the  dose.    Follow  this  by 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOGt.  l4l 

giving  twenty  to  forty  drops  of  the  syrup  iodide  of 
iron  in  a  little  syrup  three  times  a  day,  also  give 
four  grains  of  quinine  in  a  little  whisky  and  water 
twice  a  day  for  two  days.  In  the  early  stage  of  this 
disease  the  skin  should  be  kept  wet  with  a  lotion 
composed  of  acetate  of  lead  one  ounce,  water  one 
quart;  when  the  skin  becomes  dry  and  cracks  rub 
it  once  a  day  with  an  ointment  made  by  mixing 
two  ounces  oxide  of  zinc  with  four  ounces  of  vase- 
line. Feed  as  directed  in  the  former.  The  pig 
should  get  all  the  cold  water  it  can  drink  in  all 
cases  of  fever. 

GANGRENOUS  ANGINA. 

This  form  is  common  in  the  pig,  its  principal 
seat  being  the  throat  and  is  characterized  by  a  diffi- 
culty in  swallowing  and  breathing,  with  a  wheez- 
ing sound;  the  tongue  often  swells  and  becomes  of 
a  dark  purple  or  of  a  bluish  black  color,  "black 
tongue,'^  there  is  usually  a  painful  swelling  on  the 
outside  of  the  throat,  sometimes  extending  down 
betw^een  the  fore  legs.  If  the  skin  is  white  it  will 
be  changed  to  red  and  later  on  dark.  As  the  dis- 
ease progresses  the  breathing  becomes  more  diffi- 
cult, the  tongue  may  swell  to  such  a  size  as  to 
cause  suffocation. 

Treatment;  If  the  animal  can  swallow  give  it 
one  to  two  ounces  of  epsom  salts;  follow  this  by 
giving  five  to  eight  drops  of  the  strong  nitro- 
muriatic  acid  w^ell  diluted  three  or  four  times  a 
day.  If  the  tongue  is  much  swollen  take  half  an 
ounce  of  acetate  of  lead  and  one  ounce  tincture  of 


l42  DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG. 

opium  and  mix  in  a  quart  of  water,  shake  up  well, 
then  take  a  piece  of  sponge  and  tie  a  cord  to  it,  wet 
this  sponge  with  a  little  of  the  lotion  and  press  it 
well  back  on  the  tongue,  let  it  remain  for  a  minute 
then  withdraw  and  repeat,  and  in  this  way  we  can 
sometimes  succeed  in  relieving  the  swelling.  I 
have  saved  the  life  of  several  pigs  by  continuing 
this  plan  of  bathing  for  several  hours.  It  is  good 
practice  to  inject  into  the  swelling  on  the  outside 
a  lotion  composed  of  peroxide  of  hydrogen,  one 
part  to  four  of  water.  This  is  a  powerful  antisep- 
tic and  will  sometimes  stop  the  process  of  the  dis- 
ease. In  treating  the  above  diseases  it  should 
always  be  borne  in  mind  that  if  any  of  the  matter 
from  the  affected  animal  gets  into  the  blood  of  man 
he  runs  a  great  risk  of  contracting  the  disease. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  143 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SKIN  DISEASE. 

The  skin  on  the  animaPs  body  serves  as  a  pro- 
tection to  the  soft  structures  beneath  it,  also  to 
prevent  noxious  materials  from  passing  into  the 
tissue  beneath  it;  it  also  allovrs  the  escape  of  waste 
substances  from  the  body.  There  is  very  little  per- 
spiration exudes  through  the  pores  of  the  hog's  skin 
and  therefore  this  animal  suffers  from  heat  and 
seeks  the  mud  puddle  or  water  hole  on  a  hot  day 
to  cool  himself.  If  a  pig  is  driven  fast  on  a  hot  day 
it  will  be  seen  to  open  its  mouth  and  protrude  its 
tongue  in  order  to  cool  off.  On  this  account  pigs 
should  be  sheltered  from  the  heat  of  the  sun  and 
if  possible  should  have  a  good  clean  mud  puddle  to 
wallow  in;  what  is  meant  by  clean  mud  is  where 
the  water  in  it  is  fresh,  not  stagnant  or  of  a  yellow- 
ish green  color;  such  muddy  pools  are  full  of  mi- 
crobes which  may  in  some  cases  find  their  way  into 
the  animal's  body  and  cause  disease.  Still,  from 
practical  experience,  I  think  the  heat  of  the  sun 
will  do  more  harm  to  the  health  of  the  hog  than 
wallowing  in  a  stagnant  pool.  If  from  disease  of 
the  skin  or  other  causes  the  pores  should  become 
blocked  up  the  animal  is  liable  to  suffer  more  or 


144  Diseases  of  the  HOdt. 

less  from  the  effects  of  the  effete  matters  being 
penned  up  in  the  system,  and  therefore  valuable 
sows  and  boars  should  have  their  skins  thoroughly 
cleaned  occasionally,  thus  preventing  disease  and 
keeping  off  vermin. 

CANKER  OF  THE  NOSE  AND  FACE  (SORE  NOSE.) 

This  is  a  form  of  skin  disease  which  usually 
affects  the  nose  first  and  by  degrees  spreads  up  the 
face  and  sometimes  over  the  ears  and  in  patches 
on  the  body. 

Causes:  It  is  the  result  of  a  parasite  which  re- 
sembles that  of  mange,  but  seems  to  have  poison- 
ous properties.  As  it  spreads  the  part  becomes  of 
a  cankerous  nature,  causing  constitutional  symp- 
toms and  death.  It  is  not  as  yet  known  where  this 
parasite  originates,  as  I  have  found  it  affecting 
pigs  where  the  sanitary  conditions  were  good.  I 
have  made  a  number  of  experiments  to  find  the 
origin  of  the  parasite,  but  have  found  nothing  sat- 
isfactory. 

Symptoms :  The  first  thing  noticed  is  a  contrac- 
tion of  the  skin  which  wrinkles,  giving  the  nose  a 
short,  stubby  appearance.  The  animal  rubs  its 
nose  on  the  earth,  snuffles  and  runs  as  if  it  wanted 
to  get  away  from  something.  By  degrees  it  breaks 
out  in  sores,  which  may  extend  up  to  the  eyes  and 
ears  and  in  some  cases  form  hard  patches  on  the 
belly.  I  have  seen  cases  of  long  standing  where 
the  parasite  buried  deep  into  the  muscles  of  the 
face  so  that  a  slough  would  take  place  clean  to  the 
bone  of  the  jaw,  leaving  cankerous  edges  to  the 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  145 

sore.  The  conjunctiva  of  the  eyes  and  root  of  the 
ears  may  be  also  implicated.  Pigs  affected  with 
this  disease  do  not  thrive  and  often  die. 

Treatment:  All  the  well  ones  should  be  re- 
moved and  their  heads  rubbed  with  a  liniment 
made  by  mixing  one  ounce  of  carbolic  acid  in  half 
a  pint  of  raw  linseed  or  cotton  seed  oil.  The  affected 
ones  in  the  early  stages,  before  a  slbugh  takes 
place,  should  be  well  rubbed  with  an  ointment 
made  of  iodine  one-half  ounce,  vaseline  eight 
ounces,  or  ichthyol  one  part,  vaseline  two  parts. 
Repeat  in  three  days.  If  this  is  w^ell  done  it  will 
stop  the  disease  by  killing  the  parasite.  After  it 
sloughs  and  becomes  cankerous  apply  a  little 
terchloride  of  an-timony  to  the  sores  with  a  feather. 
Let  it  alone  for  three  days  and  if  the  parts  look 
healthy  use  a  solution  of  tobacco  one  part  to  thirty 
parts  of  water,  and  apply  a  little  of  this;  be  sure 
that  every  part  is  wet  with  it,  then  apply  a  little 
common  tar  to  the  affected  parts.  Take  notice  of 
the  pigs;  if  they  seem  easy  let  them  alone,  but  if 
they  should  be  restless  wash  the  parts  with  warm 
water  and  soap  and  use  the  tobacco  solution  again, 
and  so  on  until  the  animal  is  cured. 

MANGE. 

This  is  also  a  parasitic  disease,  but  not  so  difficult 
to  cure  and  seldom  causes  death.  It  is  caused  by 
a  parasite  which  burrows  under  the  scarf  skin,  pro- 
ducing considerable  irritation,  destroying  it  so  that 
scabs  form,  and  on  account  of  the  great  itchiness 
on  the  part  the  animal  rubs  it,  causing  the  part  to 


146  DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG. 

become  a  rQUgh  sore.  This  disease  is  contagious 
from  one  pig  to  another.  It  generally  appears  first 
on  the  thin  parts  of  the  slcin  under  the  arm,  behind 
the  ear,  inside  of  the  thighs  and  upon  the  back. 
This  disease  in  the  early  stage  resembles  eczema, 
but  if  the  eyesight  is  good  and  assisted  by  the  bright 
sunlight,  the  parasites  may  be  seen  as  a  moving 
white  speck,  but  can  be  readily  seen  by  a  small 
magnifying  glass.  The  cause  of  this  disease  is  by 
contagion;  that  is,  the  parasites  themselves  or 
their  eggs  must  get  on  the  skin  in  order  to  produce 
the  disease.  It  is  therefore  necessary  that  all  the 
unaffected  pigs  should  be  removed  from  the  prem- 
ises where  the  diseased  ones  are  or  have  been,  and 
the  wood  work  of  the  sties  washed  with  a  strong 
solution  of  carbolic  acid. 

Treatment:  Wash  the  pigs  all  over  with  soft 
soap  and  water,  then  rub  in  well  dry  sulphur.  When 
the  sulphur  comes  in  contact  with  secretions  from 
the  sores,  it  forms  a  compound  poisonous  to  the 
parasites.  In  a  day  or  two  give  the  animal  another 
washing,  and  rub  on  some  more  sulphur.  A  very 
sure  remedy  is  to  boil  for  one  hour  two  ounces  of 
stavesacre  seeds  in  one  and  one-half  quarts  of 
water,  and  keep  ^it  nearly  boiling  for  an  hour 
longer;  make  up  the  water  to  the  quantity  original- 
ly used.  Such  a  solution,  rubbed  into  the  skin,  not 
only  kills  the  parasite,  but  its  eggs  also.  Repeat 
in  a  week,  if  necessary.  Another  is  to  steep  one 
part  of  tobacco  in  twenty  parts  of  boiling  water  for 
a  few  hours,  and,  after  washing  the  pig,  apply  a 
little  of  this  to  the  affected  parts  with  a  sponge. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 


Wi 


If  the  surface  to  be  covered  is  large,  only  apply  it 
to  one  part  today  and  to  the  other  tomorrow.  For 
instance,  if  the  neck  and  the  legs  are  affected,  ap- 
ply to  the  neck  first,  then  to  the  other  parts  the 
day  following,  and  there  will  be  no  bad  results 
from  the  use  of  the  tobacco,  and  it  is  an  excellent 
remedy  when  carefully  used. 

LICE. 

The  causes  of  lice  in  pigs  are  bad  food  and  filthy 
sties.  When  pigs  are  badly  housed  or  kept,  lice 
will  likely  appear  and  will  spread  from  one  pig  to 
the  other.  The  louse  of  the  pig  is  of  a  dusky  iron 
color  on  its  back,  and  gray  or  ashy  yellow  on  the 
belly,  and  has  long  legs.  Lice  are  a  great  torment 
to  the  pig,  and  it  w  ill  be  impossible  to  fatten  a  hog 
which  is  lousy,  and  they  will  prevent  young  pigs 
from  growing.  There  are  a  number  of  remedies 
for  the  destruction  of  lice.  The  best,  if  attainable, 
is  to  boil  two  ounces  of  stavesacre  seeds  in  three 
pints  of  water,  let  it  nearly  boil  for  an  hour  longer, 
making  up  the  w^ater  to  the  quantity  originally 
used.  Wet  the  animal  all  over  with  a  little  of  this. 
It  will  kill  the  lice  and  the  nits.  Solution  of  to- 
bacco one  to  twenty  of  water,  is  very  effectual  in 
destroying  lice,  and  when  used  with  caution  there 
is  no  danger.  Cotton  seed  or  raw  linseed  oil  two 
parts,  kerosene  one  part,  this  to  be  rubbed  over 
the  animal.  The  only  objection  is,  it  being  a 
greasy  substance,  it  sometimes  clogs  up  the  pores, 
and  on  that  account  either  of  the  first  two  are  pre- 
ferred. 


148  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOa. 

WARTS. 

These  are,caused  by  a  deranged  condition  of  the 
scarf  skin,  but  subsequently  the  true  skin  becomes 
affected,  thus  producing  on  the  surface  of  the  body 
growths  of  various  sizes.  When  these  are  rubbed 
or  bruised  they  ulcerate,  and  thus  form  fungus-like 
masses,  projecting  from  the  skin.  They  are  very 
unsightly,  and  bleed  on  the  slightest  pressure.  In 
some  cases  they  are  flat,  spreading  over  the  skin. 

Treatment:  For  those  which  project  from  the 
skin  and  have  a  neck,  tie  a  piece  of  sharp  cord 
tightly  around  the  base.  If  it  does  not  slough  off 
in  a  week,  tie  on  another.  When  it  sloughs  off 
touch  the  part  with  terchloride  of  antimony  once  a 
day  for  a  few  days,  to  destroy  the  roots  of  the 
wart.  In  cases  where  they  are  flat,  scrape  off  the 
scurf  until  the  blood  begins  to  ooze,  then  apply  a 
little  of  the  antimony  to  it  with  a  feather.  On  the 
second  or  third  day  remove  the  scab  that  forms, 
and  apply  a  little  more  of  the  antimony,  and  so  on 
until  it  is  lower  than  the  surrounding  skin.  Then 
apply  zinc  oxide  one  ounce,  vaseline  two  ounces; 
use  a  little  once  a  day  to  heal  it  If  it  should  show 
signs  of  growing  up  again,  use  the  antimony  as 
above. 

URTICARIA,  NETTLE  RASH,  SURFEIT. 

This  is  a  non-contagious  disease  characterized 
by  the  cutaneous  elevations  which  are  surrounded 
by  redness,  which  can  be  seen  if  the  pig's  skin  i ; 
svhite.    It  is  usually  the  result  of  a  deranged  dige - 
tion  or  of  feeding  too  long  on  one  kind  of  food,  or 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  149 

too  much  of  any  kind  of  starchy  food.  Some  pigs 
are  peculiarly  susceptible  to  this  disease. 

Symptoms:  The  sudden  appearance  of  elastic 
prominences  on  the  skin,  accompanied  by  great 
itching  of  the  parts;  it  may  pass  off  as  suddenly  as 
it  appears.  There  is  a  second  form  of  this  disease 
in  which  the  lumps  may  rise  on  any  part  of  the 
body  and  if  they  do  not  pass  off  soon,  may  form 
vesicles  and  discharge  a  glutinous  fluid,  and  the 
animal  may  appear  dull,  the  appetite  may  be 
somewhat  impaired  and  the  animaPs  health  dis- 
turbed. 

Treatment:  Give  one  to  two  ounces  epsom  salts 
and  change  the  food.  To  relieve  the  itching  mix 
one  ounce  of  acetate  of  lead,  one  ounce  tincture  of 
opium  in  a  quart  of  water  and  bathe  the  parts  well 
with  a  little  of  it  three  or  four  times  a  day,  if  nec- 
essary. If  the  animal  is  not  cured  in  a  few  days 
give  five  drops  Fow^ler's  solution  of  arsenic  in  its 
food  three  times  a  day.  The  trouble  usually  dis- 
appears after  the  stomach  and  bowels  have  been 
cleaned  out. 

LICHEN. 

This  is  a  form  of  skin  disease  consisting  of  pim- 
ples about  the  size  of  millet  seeds;  they  develop 
principally  around  the  hair  follicles  in  patches; 
the  hair  falls  off  and  the  skin  remains  bare  for  five 
or  six  weeks,  when  a  layer  of  scales  drop  off,  and 
then  the  hair  begins  to  grow.  This  malady  is  apt 
to  recur. 

Treatment:    Give  the  pig  a  teaspoonful  of  sul- 


150  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

phur  and  ten  grains  of  nitrate  of  potassium  at  a 
dose  three  times  a  day  in  the  food  and  continue  it 
for  two  weeks,  if  necessary.  The  slvin  should  be 
well  washed  with  a  solution  made  by  dissolving  one 
ounce  of  carbonate  of  potash  in  a  quart  of  soft 
water,  then  use  clean  water  to  wash  it  off;  repeat 
the  washing  once  a  week. 

PRURIGO. 

This  is  an  eruption  of  pimples  having  nearly  the 
same  color  as  the  skin  and  attended  with  excessive 
itching.  The  eruption  is  often  confined  to  one  spot 
and  sometimes  it  attacks  several  parts  of  the  body 
at  the  same  time.  The  parts  most  usually  affected 
are  the  neck  and  shoulders. 

The  only  symptom  of  this  disease  is  the  constant 
excessive  itching.  From  the  want  of  color  the 
pimples  are  not  observed,  but  the  animal  rubs 
itself  so  severely  that  the  skin  often  becomes 
abraded,  sometimes  small  black  scabs  may  be  seen. 
By  running  the  fingers  over  the  affected  part  the 
skin  will  feel  rough  or  the  pimples  may  be  de- 
tected. It  may  occur  at  any  period  of  the  animaPs 
existence. 

Treatment:  As  the  majority  of  skin  troubles  are 
the  result  of  faulty  digestion  the  condition  of  the 
stomach  should  be  attended  to.  Give  from  one  to 
two  ounces  epsom  salts  and  change  the  diet.  If 
the  animal  is  in  a  debilitated  state  give  thirty  drops 
syrup  iodide  of  iron  at  a  dose  in  a  little  water  three 
times  a  day  after  meals,  or  five  drop  doses  three 
times  a  day  of  Donovan's  solution  of  arsenic.  Bathe 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  151 

the  affected  parts  three  or  four  times  a  day  with  a 
lotion  made  by  mixing  half  a  dram  of  hydrocyanic 
acid  to  the  ounce  of  water.  Twenty  drops  of  crea- 
sote  to  the  ounce  of  lard  rubbed  on  the  parts  once  a 
day  is  very  useful.  In  chronic  cases  use  a  solution 
of  corrosive  sublimate,  three  grains  to  the  ounce  of 
water.  If  the  skin  is  hard  I  have  found  an  oint- 
ment made  by  mixing  one  ounce  of  ichthyol  and 
two  ounces  of  vaseline  to  be  very  useful.  The  oint- 
ments of  oxide  of  zinc,  one  to  two,  or  iodine  one  to 
eight  of  vaseline  are  also  beneficial. 

PEHPHIQUS. 

This  disease  of  the  skin  is  characterized  by  blad- 
ders, or  elevations  of  the  scarf  skin  varying  from 
the  size  of  a  pea  to  a  walnut,  containing  a  yellow- 
ish transparent  fluid  and  terminating  in  the  forma- 
tion of  a  scab.  This  disease  usually  occurs  without 
fever.  The  parts  usually  affected  are  the  neck, 
sides,  back  and  sometimes  the  outsides  of  the  legs. 
They  usually  remain  for  three  or  four  days,  then 
break,  form  a  scab  and  heal.  It  occurs  most  fre- 
quently in  young  pigs,  but  has  appeared  in  adult 
hogs.  The  causes  of  this  disease  are  obscure.  It  is 
supposed  to  be  the  result  of  an  impaired  condition 
of  the  system  and  exposure  to  the  hot  sun. 

Treatment:  Give  one  to  two  ounces  of  epsom 
salts  and  follow  this  by  ten  grains  of  nitrate  of 
potass  three  times  a  day  in  the  food.  A  complete 
change  of  diet  is  sometimes  all  that  is  necessary. 
After  the  blisters  break  and  discharge  their  con- 


152  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

tents  apply  a  little  oxide  of  zinc  ointment  or  a  sim- 
ple cerate  to  protect  the  sore  from  the  air. 

RUPIA. 

This  is  a  disease  which  resembles  pemphigus, 
but  the  elevations  are  flatter  and  contain  a  dark 
colored  fluid;  they  are  followed  by  a  thick  scab, 
easily  separated  and  soon  removed,  or  sometimes 
by  ulcers.  It  is  usually  confounded  with  pemphi- 
gus, bu^as  the  treatment  is  about  the  same  a  mis- 
take will  be  of  no  importance. 

ACNE. 

This  is  a  pustular  disease  sometimes  seen  on  the 
udder  of  the  sow  and  inside  of  the  thighs.  It  con- 
sists of  small  pimples  which  form  on  the  skin;  some 
of  the  larger  ones  may  contain  a  little  matter.  In 
a  week  or  ten  da^^s  they  begin  to  dry  up,  leaving  a 
brown  scab  or  mark.  In  some  cases  they  become 
hard  and  of  a  reddish  color  and  may  remain  in  that 
condition  for  months.  They  make  their  appear- 
ance without  causing  any  fever  or  itching.  It  does 
not  seem  to  be  contagious,  as  I  have  known  a  case 
in  which  the  sow  was  nursing  her  pigs  and  none 
of  them  became  affected  with  it 

Treatment :  Give  a  mild  dose  of  salts ;  follow  this 
with  syrup  iodide  of  iron  or  five  drops  of  Donovan's 
solution  of  arsenic  three  times  a  day  in  the  food. 
Kub  the  affected  parts  with  glycerine  one  ounce, 
tannic  acid  one  dram,  water  one  ounce.  In  chronic 
cases  rub  on  a  little  soap  liniment  twice  a  day.  If 
the  pustules  should  suppurate  and  become  sores 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  153 

applj^  the  oxide  of  zinc  ointment,  made  by  mixing 
one  ounce  of  the  oxide  of  zinc  with  two  ounces  of 
vaseline.  This  can  be  used  once  or  twice  a  day, 
according  to  the  severity  of  the  case. 

5CALY  DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN. 

There  are  a  number  which  are  usually  classed 
together  as  it  would  be  impossible  to  distinguish 
one  from  the  other  in  the  pig,  namely  psoriasis, 
lepra,  pityriasis,  etc. 

Causes:  Heat  of  the  sun  in  summer  and  cold  in 
winter.  This  condition  of  temperature  has  a  w^on- 
derful  effect  on  the  skin  of  some  hogs.  There  are 
other  causes  whi^h  are  obscure.  The  disease  is 
not  contagious. 

Symptoms:  The  disease  first  begins  by  the  for- 
mation of  minute  pimples  too  small  to  be  seen  on 
the  skin  of  the  pig;  these  pimples  dry  up  and  the 
scarf  skin  peels  off  in  flakes;  this  is  usually  re- 
peated several  times  and  may  pass  away.  At  oth- 
ers the  skin  is  inflamed,  thickened,  and  intersected 
in  all  directions  with  furrows  which  are  often  deep 
and  filled  with  a  white  powdery  matter;  the  hair 
comes  off  and  will  not  grow  until  the  skin  becomes 
healthy.  Pigs  affected  with  this  scaly  disease  pre- 
sent a  very  ugly  appearance,  and  it  is  the  most 
common  form  of  skin  disease  among  hogs.  In 
some  few  cases  the  skin  will  crack,  causing  much 
pain  to  the  animal  when  it  moves,  especially  if  it 
be  in  the  region  of  the  joints. 

Treatment:  If  the  pig  is  fat  give  it  from  one  to 
two  ounces  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  dissolved  in 


154  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

half  a  pint  of  cold  water;  after  this  operates  give 
acetate  of  potass  in  doses  of  half  a  dram  three 
times  a  day  in  the  food.  The  diet  under  the  same 
circumstances  should  be  of  a  cooling  nature.  Avoid 
corn  and  give  fine  ground  oats  and  milk  instead 
and  some  kind  of  green  food.  In  weak  animals  give 
the  same  kind  of  food,  but  do  not  give  a  physic; 
instead,  give  from  half  to  one  teaspoonful  of  the 
tincture  chloride  of  iron  in  the  food  at  a  dose  three 
times  a  day;  a  tablespoonful  of  cod  liver  oil  at  a 
dose  in  the  food  three  times  a  day  will  be  found  to 
be  of  great  service  in  such  cases.  A  dessert  spoon- 
ful of  the  compound  syrup  of  sarsaparilla  at  a  dose 
three  times  a  day  is  also  useful.  Keep  the  pigs  out 
of  the  sun  and  wash  the  body  well  with  soap  and 
water  and  then  bathe  with  a  lotion  of  acetate  of 
lead  half  an  ounce,  sulphate  of  zinc  half  an  ounce, 
water  one  quart.  In  cases  where  the  skin  has  be- 
come hard  use  glycerine  two  ounces,  water  two 
ounces,  tannic  acid  two  drams;  apply  once  a  day. 
Iodide  of  sulphur  fifteen  grains,  lard  one  ounce,  is 
also  useful.  When  the  skin  requires  a  stimulant 
rub  once  a  day  with  a  little  compound  soap  lini- 
ment. If  the  skin  should  crack  the  oxide  of  zinc 
ointment  will  be  the  best  to  use. 

RING  WORn   (TINEA  TONSURANS.) 

This  is  not  a  common  disease  among  pigs,  al- 
though I  have  been  called  upon  to  treat  a  few  cases. 
It  depends  upon  the  presence  of  a  vegetable  para- 
site which  finds  its  way  to  the  skin  by  contagion 
and  develops  rapidly  when  it  finds  a  suitable  place; 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  155 

it  may  affect  any  part  of  the  body,  but  most  fre- 
quently the  face  and  ears. 

Symptoms:  There  appears  a  gray  crust  on  the 
skin  and  the  hair  drops  out;  this  keeps  spreading 
in  the  form  of  a  ring  until  the  whole  side  of  the 
face  or  ears  are  covered  with  it.  The  center  parts 
become  dry  and  hard,  but  the  edges  of  the  ring,  if 
examined  closely,  are  found  to  be  verj^  small  vesi- 
cles, more  or  less  moist.  This  disease  is  contagious 
to  man  to  a  certain  extent ;  that  is,  it  will  develop 
for  a  time  and  then  die. 

Treatment:  First  remove  as  much  of  the  crust 
as  possible  by  washing  with  soap  and  water,  using 
a  brush,  then  dry  the  surface,  and  mix  two  drams 
of  iodine  with  two  ounces  of  vaseline  and  rub  a 
little  of  this  well  in;  repeat  in  a  week  if  necessary; 
or  mix  carbolic  acid  one  ounce,  alcohol  two  ounces; 
apply  a  little  with  a  small  brush  or  a  feather;  re- 
peat in  a  week,  if  needed. 

SORE  FEET. 

Pigs  which  are  kept  on  hard,  slippery  floors  suf- 
fer from  inflammation  of  the  sensitive  parts  of  their 
feet.  I  have  seen  some  very  heavy  hogs  suffer  from 
the  same  cause  on  hard,  dry  ground.  There  are  also 
cases  of  sores  breaking  out  at  the  back  of  the  hoof 
and  between  the  toes.  This  is  called  "foul  in  the 
feet;''  but  I  have  not  seen  any  cases  of  the  conta- 
gious foot  disease  in  this  country,  and  the  one  to  be 
described  is  a  local  disease  caused  by  some  sub- 
stance irritating  the  parts  at  the  heel  or  between 
the  toes.    I  lia^  e  often  seen  it  caused  bv  fine  cinders 


156  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

of  coal  being  scattered  in  the  yard.  This  material 
gets  in  between  the  toes,  causing  irritation.  Vesi- 
cles may  form,  burst,  and  discharge  a  yellow  fluid, 
or  matter  may  form.  Unhealthy  sores  are  the  re- 
sult of  the  irritation  not  being  removed.  Cinders 
from  coal  should  never  be  put  in  yards  where  hogs, 
cattle  or  sheep  are  kept,  as  I  have  had  a  number  of 
cases  in  cattle  and  sheep,  as  well  as  the  hog,  nearly 
ruined  from  this  cause. 

Treatment:  In  cases  where  the  feet  are  tender 
and  no  sores  appear,  the  animal  should  be  kept  for 
several  hours  on  a  bed  of  wet  sand,  as  it  is  not  prac- 
ticable to  poultice  the  feet  of  the  hog,  and  the  wet 
sand  will  answer  the  purpose.  If  the  animal  is 
very  lame  a  dose  of  epsom  salts,  followed  by  ten 
grains  of  nitrate  of  potassium  two  or  three  times  a 
day  in  its  food  will  cool  the  system  and  help  to  re- 
lieve the  sore  feet.  In  a  few  days  the  animal  is 
cured.  If  sores  appear  between  the  toes  or  at  the 
heels,  clean  the  parts  well  with  warm  water  and 
soap  to  remove  all  dirt.  If  there  is  any  proud  flesh, 
which  can  be  known  by  its  bluish  appearance  and 
spongy  aspect,  apply  a  little  terchloride  of  anti- 
mony with  a  feather  once.  If  it  has  not  removed 
all  the  proud  flesh  apply  again  on  the  third  day. 
To  heal  the  sores  use  chloride  of  zinc  one  dram, 
water  one  pint;  dress  once  or  twice  a  day,  accord- 
ing to  the  severity  of  the  case.  Keep  the  pigs  in  a 
clean,  dry  place  until  the  feet  are  well. 


DISEASES    OF   THE   HOG.  J57 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
DISEASES  OF  THE  EYEBALL. 

The  eye  of  the  pig  does  not  seem  to  be  subject  to 
many  diseases,  but  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  cases 
occur  which  are  not  noticed;  I  shall  therefore  only 
mention  those  I  have  met  with. 

Conjunctivitis:  Simple  ophthalmia  results 
from  injuries,  and  especially  from  foreign  matters 
entering  the  eye.  Exposure  to  cold,  heat  and  acrid 
vapors,  it  is  also  the  result  of  other  diseases.  When 
injuries  and  foreign  matters  are  the  cause  one  eye 
only  is  usually  affected. 

Symptoms:  There  will  be  a  profusion  of  tears 
trickling  down  the  cheek  or  cheeks,  there  will  be  a 
thickening  more  or  less  of  the  eyelids  and  a  red- 
ness of  their  lining  membrane;  this  also  may  be 
thickened,  which  nearly  closes  the  eye.  An  exam- 
ination of  the  eye  must  be  made,  the  lids  being 
separated  by  the  finger  and  thumb  and  each  lid  in- 
verted in  turn.  If  the  eye  has  been  injured,  for  a 
day  or  two  there  will  usually  be  a  white  scum  over 
the  corner,  which  usually  disappears  when  the  in- 
flammation is  reduced. 

Treatment:  If  there  is  any  foreign  substance  in 
the  eve  have  it  removed.    This  is  not  easily  done  as 


158  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

the  rapid  iiiovement  of  tlie  liaw  over  the  eye 
prevents  one  from  getting  hold  of  the  offending 
bod3^  Two  drops  of  a  three*  per  cent  solution  of 
cocaine  dropped  into  the  eye  will  relieve  the  irrita- 
tion and  the  motion  of  the  liaw\  For  all  forms  of 
simple  ophthalmia  the  eye  should  be  bathed  with 
cold  water  for  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  three  times  a 
day  and  after  each  bathing  apply  a  little  of  the  fol- 
lowing lotion  with  a  feather:  Acetate  of  lead  ten 
grains,  tincture  of  opium  ten  drops,  distilled  water 
two  ounces.  I  find  this  is  the  best  of  all  eye  lo- 
tions for  simple  inflammations  of  the  eye,  no  mat- 
ter what  the  cause  may  have  been.  After  the  in- 
flammation has  been  subdued,  if  there  should  be 
any  scum  over  the  cornea  mix  five  grains  of  nitrate 
of  silver  in  one  ounce  of  distilled  water  and  apply  a 
little  once  a  day  with  a  clean  feather;  this  will 
stimulate  absorption  and  the  scum  will  soon  dis- 
appear. The  pig  should  be  kept  in  a  moderately 
dark  place  until  well.  If  the  infiammation  should 
be  very  severe,  give  from  one  to  two  ounces  of  ep- 
som  salts  at  a  dose;  this  will  cool  the  system  and 
act  as  a  revulsent 

AMAUROSIS.     (PARALYSIS  OF  THE   RETINA.) 

Amaurosis  is  a  permanent  dilatation  of  the  pupil 
of  the  eye.  The  e^^e  appears  glassy,  and  in  looking 
into  the  posterior  chamber  it  has  a  greenish  ap- 
pearance and  is  completely  impervious  to  light. 

Causes:  It  is  usually  caused  by  affection  of  the 
optic  nerve  from  some  lesion  of  the  brain.  It  is  also 
caused  by  derangement  of  the  digestive  organs.    I 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  159 

have  been  called  to  cases  in  which  a  number  of  pigs 
became  siiddenl}^  blind  and  generally  the  brain  was 
also  affected.  I  have  made  post  mortem  examina- 
tions of  some  that  died  and  the  only  lesion  found 
was  in  the  stomachs,  w^hich  were  inflamed  and 
full  of  undigested  food,  and  in  some  I  think  worms 
were  the  cause.  The  greater  number  were  cured 
by  giving  a  physic,  epsom  salts  one  to  two  ounces, 
or  one  ounce  castor  oil  with  two  drops  of  croton  oil 
in  it;  this  was  followed  by  giving  two  drops  of  the 
fluid  extract  of  nux  vomica  and  two  grains  of  san- 
tonin at  a  dose  in  a  little  syrup  three  times  a  day ; 
this  was  continued  for  a  week  or  tw  o  w^hen  neces- 
sary. When  worms  are  suspected,  give  half  ounce 
doses  of  the  fluid  extract  of  spigelia  and  senna 
every  four  hours  until  it  purges,  then  give  the  nux 
vomica  and  santonin  as  above.  I  have  found  this 
quite  common  among  shoats  some  seasons,  and  if 
seen  early  it  can  usually  be  cured.  There  are  other 
diseases  of  the  eye  of  the  hog,  but  they  are  not 
easily  treated,  nor  have  I  found  it  practicable  to 
do  so.  Usually  they  do  not  affect  the  health  of  the 
animal,  which  will  take  on  flesh,  and  can  be  sent  to 
the  market. 


IGO  DISEASES    OF   THE   HOC. 


CHAPTER  XVIL 
SCARLET  FEVER. 

This  is  a  contagious  disease,  characterized  by 
inflammation  of  the  fauces  (back  part  of  the  mouth) 
and  a  scarlet  rash  appearing  usually  on  the  second 
day  and  ending  about  the  sixth  or  seventh.  This 
disease  is  often  confounded  with  measles.  Al- 
though there  is  a  marked  difference  in  the  human 
being  it  is  not  so  easily  distinguished  in  the  hog 
unless  the  animal  is  white.  If  it  should  be  mis- 
taken for  measles  or  measles  mistaken  for  it,  the 
error  would  not  be  of  much  consequence,  as  it  has 
to  be  treated  according  to  the  stage  and  severity 
of  the  fever;  that  is,  to  confine  the  fever  as  much  as 
possible  and  keep  up  the  strength  of  the  patient 

Symptoms :  In  the  early  stages  there  is  languor, 
and  stiffness  caused  by  the  muscles  of  the  back  be- 
ing affected ;  there  is  a  fast  pulse,  from  one  hundred 
to  one  hundred  and  twenty;  high  temperature,  one 
hundred  to  one  hundred  and  six;  dry,  hot  skin, 
furred  tongue,  loss  of  appetite,  great  thirst,  and 
great  muscular  weakness;  sometimes  the  animal 
will  vomit  and  the  nervous  system  may  be  disor- 
dered, causing  restlessness,  delirium,  stupor,  coma 
or  convulsions.      Very  often  from  the  beginning 


f)l§fiASES    OF    THE    HO(i.  iGl 

there  is  inflammation  of  the  throat  and  back  part 
of  the  mouth,  which,  on  being  examined,  will  be 
found  red  and  swollen;  the  tongue  will  be  coated 
with  a  yellowish  white  fur,  and  projecting  red  pim- 
ples will  be  3een  upon  its  surface,  and  is  red  at  the 
edges  and  tip.  If  the  animal  has  white  skin  about 
the  face,  neck,  belly  or  inside  of  the  legs,  a  red  rash 
will  be  seen  about  the  second  or  third  day.  In  some 
cases  minute  pimples  form,  which  are  itchy  and 
make  the  animal  very  restless.  The  bowels  are 
usually  constipated,  but  in  some  few  cases  there 
may  be  diarrhoea.  In  some  cases  the  throat  symp- 
toms are  very  slight,  but  usually  they  are  severe 
and  occur  before  the  rash  and  are  very  distressing, 
swelling  both  inside  and  out,  and  may  prevent  the 
animal  from  swallowing  and  make  the  breathing 
very  difficult  This  disease  is  readily  mistaken  for 
quinsy  in  the  pig.  The  disease  usually  reaches  its 
height  in  from  five  to  nine  days,  and  then,  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  begins  to  decline.  The  rash  fades; 
the  dry  heat  of  the  skin  diminishes;  the  pulse  be- 
comes slower;  the  throat  symptoms  disappear,  and 
the  tongue  loses  its  fur  and  becomes  clean,  and  the 
temperature  is  reduced;  but  in  some  cases  it  takes 
on  worse  forms,  and  an  animal  may  die  before  the 
eruption  appears,  from  shock  upon  the  nervous 
system;  or  at  any  time  during  the  attack  from 
brain  trouble  or  from  inflammation  attacking  some 
of  the  vital  parts,  such  as  the  lungs,  stomach,  bow- 
els; or  the  animal  may  die  from  suffocation.  The 
patient  may  sink  from  debility.  As  this  disease  re- 
quires to  be  treated  according  to  the  condition  of 


162  DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG. 

the  animal,  changing  the  medicine  several  times 
daily,  it  makes  it  a  very  difficult  disease  for  the 
farmer  to  treat.  Professor  Wood,  in  his  practice 
of  medicine,  says:  "In  the  vast  majority  of  cases 
scarlet  fever  would  end  favorably  without  treat- 
ment; hence,  the  reputation  acquired  by  homeo- 
pathy in  this  disease."  Therefore,  if  such  a  disease 
as  this  should  break  out,  keep  the  animal  in  a  good 
comfortable  place,  keep  the  bowels  open  by  giving 
one  ounce  doses  of  epsom  salts,  or  a  seidlitz  powder 
occasionally.  Some  recommend  to  give  diluted 
acetic  acid,  ten  drops  in  a  little  water,  several  times 
a  day.  If  there  should  be  diarrhoea,  give  one  ounce 
of  castor  oil  and  from  ten  to  twenty  drops  of  tinc- 
ture of  opium  in  it;  repeat  in  ten  hours  if  neces- 
sary. It  is  dangerous  to  check  diarrhoea  too  quick- 
ly in  this  disease,  as  it  is  often  an  effort  of  nature  to 
rid  the  system  of  poisonous  material.  If  the  throat 
is  troublesome  give  ten  grains  of  chlorate  of  potas- 
sium and  three  to  five  drops  of  fluid  extract  of  bel- 
ladonna in  three  or  four  tablespoonfuls  of  cold 
water  three  or  four  times  daily.  If  the  fever  is  very 
high  and  in  the  early  stage  of  the  disease,  from  five 
to  ten  drops  tincture  of  aconite  in  a  spoonful  of 
water,  will  in  some  cases  keep  it  down;  but  this 
should  not  be  carried  too  far,  as  it  is  a  very  reduc- 
ing medicine,  and  so  is  the  disease,  and  there  may 
be  danger  of  collapse.  If  the  animal  is  very  weak 
and  the  pulse  small,  give  stimulants,  such  as  two 
teaspoonfuls  of  sweet  spirits  of  nitre  in  a  little 
water,  three  or  four  times  a  day,  or  two  teaspoon- 
fuls of  good  whisky  in  a  little  milk  several  times 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  l63 

daily.  Carbonate  of  ammonia  is  also  good,  given 
in  ten  to  twelve  grain  doses  in  a  little  cold  water 
three  times  daily.  In  great  debility  quinine  five 
grains,  sulphuric  acid  two  drops,  water  one  ounce, 
twice  a  day  is  useful.  Cloths  wrung  out  of  boiling 
water  and  wrapped  around  the  swollen  neck,  and 
continued  for  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours,  often 
relieves  the  distress. 

MEASLES  (RUBEOLA.) 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  in  young  pigs.  It 
is  very  contagious  and  is  characterized  by  more  or 
les^  cough  or  sneezing,  red,  watery  eyes  and  also  a 
watery  discharge  from  the  nose;  the  pigs  are  not  so 
bright  as  usual  and  lie  down  a  good  deal;  in  mild 
cases  the  appetite  is  not  much  altered.  In  severe 
cases  the  throat  becomes  more  or  less  affected  and 
swallowing  may  be  difficult  There  occurs  on  the 
fourth  day  a  red  rash  on  the  skin,  first  in  minute 
pimples  formed  into  distinct  spots  very  slightly 
elevated  above  the  skin;  this  rash  is  not  easily 
made  out  unless  the  skin  of  the  pig  is  white.  The 
disease  is  usually  mistaken  for  catarrh  or  cold,  but 
by  a  careful  examination  the  rash  can  be  made  out, 
as  there  are  nearly  alw^ays  some  white  patches  on 
most  hogs.  If  the  disease  assumes  a  severe  form 
the  appetite  is  usually  impaired,  the  animal  is 
thirsty,  the  eyes  are  red  and  the  eyelids  swollen;  if 
the  pig  eats  anything  it  is  usually  rejected  by  vom- 
iting. In  some  few  cases  the  animal  will  have  con- 
vulsions. There  will  be  fever,  fast  pulse,  hurried 
breathing,  and  if  the  tongue  is  examined  it  will  be 


164  DISEASES    OF   THE   H0(3. 

coated  with  fur,  especially  along  the  center.  About 
the  eighth  day  the  disease  begins  to  decline,  the  pig 
brightens  up,  the  swelling  of  the  eyelids  becomes 
reduced,  the  cough  is  less  frequent  or  may  have 
disappeared  altogether,  the  red  color  of  the  skin 
will  diminish,  the  appetite  return,  and  the  pig  will 
be  quite  well  about  the  eleventh  or  twelfth  day. 
Occasionally  the  pectoral  symptoms  at  this  stage 
increase  instead  of  diminishing  as  they  usually  do, 
indicating  that  either  bronchitis  or  pneumonia  is 
setting  in,  and  if  it  does  so  it  will  likely  prove  fatal 
in  the  pig.  I  have  seen  some  few  cases  in  which, 
instead  of  bronchitis  or  pneumonia,  a  severe  diar- 
rhea would  set  in,  caused  by  an  irritation  of  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  intestines,  and  it  is  usual- 
ly very  troublesome  and  often  causes  death.  I 
have  seen  cases  of  this  kind  mistaken  for  hog  chol- 
era. Chronic  cough  is  sometimes  the  result  of  this 
disease. 

Treatment:  In  mild  cases  treatment  is  not  nec- 
essary, but  the  pig  should  not  be  exposed  to  cold  or 
wet,  and  should  have  a  dry  bed  to  sleep  in.  In 
cases  where  the  catarrhal  symptoms  are  severe 
with  fever,  which  can  be  known  by  the  appetite 
being  impaired,  give  epsom  salts  one  to  two  ounces 
for  a  full  grown  pig,  and  from  a  teaspoonful  to  a 
dessert  spoonful  at  a  dose  for  a  small  pig.  Boiled 
flaxseed  mixed  with  the  food  or  given  in  the  form 
of  flaxseed  tea  mixed  with  a  little  brown  sugar  will 
be  found  very  useful.  If  the  skin  becomes  dry  an<l 
hot  give  from  five  to  ten  grains  of  nitrate  of  potas- 
sium in  the  drinking  water.    If  the  throat  is  sore 


DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG.  165 

give  from  ten  to  thirty  drops  of  the  compound 
syrup  of  squills  three  or  four  times  a  day.  If  the 
pig  does  not  eat  and  shows  signs  of  weakness,  give 
from  one  to  two  tablespoonf uls  of  good  whisky  in  a 
little  milk  three  or  four  times  a  day;  whisky  is  a 
very  useful  medicine  in  this  complaint  Quinine 
in  one  to  four  grain  doses  in  a  little  whisky  and 
water  is  also  good.  In  the  second  stage  of  the  dis- 
ease if  the  eyes  are  very  sore  they  should  be  bathed 
several  times  a  day  with  an  emulsion  of  slippery 
elm  bark.  If  the  pig  should  be  in  pain  and  have 
diarrhea  it  should  have  from  five  to  twenty-five 
drops  each  of  tincture  of  opium  and  spirits  of  cam- 
phor in  a  little  warm  milk  every  two  hours  until 
relieved.  If  bronchial  trouble  should  set  in  give  tar 
in  little  balls  about  the  size  of  the  end  of  one's  little 
finger  in  the  food  or  a  little  milk.  Five  to  ten  grains 
of  carbonate  of  ammonia  given  in  cold  water  sev- 
eral times  a  day  will  be  found  very  useful;  five  to 
fifteen  drops  of  turpentine  is  also  very  good.  Care- 
ful nursing  and  stimulants  in  the  form  of  whisky 
are  usually  all  that  is  needed  in  this  disease. 


166  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG, 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
ERYSIPELAS. 

This  is  a  constitutional  disease  characterized  by 
inflammation  of  the  skin  with  fever. 

Causes:  Some  animals  have  a  predisposition  to 
this  disease  and  it  only  needs  some  exciting  cause 
to  develop  it.  It  is  usually  caused  by  a  wound  of 
some  kind  by  which  the  poison  enters  the  tissue. 
There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  what  this  poi- 
son consists  of,  but  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  it  is 
an  organism  as  it  has  been  found,  still  the  results 
of  experiments  are  very  conflicting.  It  also  make« 
its  appearance  without  any  wound  being  found  on 
the  body  and  is  supposed  to  be  the  result  of  some 
undue  excitement  of  the  skin  as  from  the  direct 
heat  of  the  sun  or  exposure  to  severe  cold.  It  has 
also  been  ascribed  to  the  kind  of  food  the  animal 
has  been  fed  upon,  to  a  deranged  condition  of  the 
digestive  organs  and  to  rheumatism.  Erysipelas 
has  been  caused  in  the  human  being  by  stings  or 
bites  from  insects  and  the  scratch  of  a  pin  has  pro- 
duced it,  and  no  doubt  but  some  of  the  cases  of  it 
which  we  find  in  pigs  are  the  results  of  such  slight 
injuries, 


DISEASES   OF  THE   HOG.  167 

Symptoms:  There  are  two  forms  of  this  disease, 
the  constitutional  and  the  local.  In  the  first  the 
animal  appears  dull,  refuses  its  food,  the  pulse  is 
fast  and  the  breathing  hurried.  At  this  stage  of 
the  disease  it  is  impossible  to  diagnose  it,  it  is  only 
when  the  skin  in  some  part  becomes  affected  that 
the  tru«  nature  of  the  disease  is  apparent.  A  pig 
that  has  been  noticed  ailing  for  a  day  or  two  be- 
gins to  swell  on  some  part  of  the  body,  particularly 
the  neck ;  if  the  skin  is  white  it  will  have  a  red  ap- 
pearance, the  redness  will  disappear  on  pressure 
to  return  immediately  the  pressure  is  removed; 
the  swelling  rises  distinctly  above  the  surrounding- 
parts  and  continues  this  elevated  march  until  it 
ceases,  the  margin  is  always  abrupt.  I  saw  one 
case  of  a  valuable  sow  which  had  been  sick  for  two 
days  before  I  was  called  to  see  her,  the  head  and 
neck  began  to  swell  and  in  spite  of  treatment  the 
swelling  extended,  keeping  an  abrupt  edge  until 
it  spread  all  over  the  body  and  the  animal  died  on 
the  third  day.  At  time  of  death  the  body  seemed 
to  be  twice  its  natural  size.  On  removing  the  skin 
there  was  great  infiltration  of  serum  of  a  dark 
color  and  in  some  parts  black;  this  extended  into 
the  connecting  tissue  of  the  muscles  and  had  a  very 
fetid  odor,  the  lungs  were  found  much  congested, 
which  was  the  immediate  cause  of  death,  there  w^as 
considerable  effusion  in  the  pleural  cavity;  the  oth- 
er organs  of  the  body  were  healthy.  In  some  cases 
the  inflammation  rises  for  three  or  four  days  then 
gradually  subsides  without  any  apparent  effusion 
of  any  kind  and  terminates  in  desquamation.     J\ 


168  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

the  majority  of  cases  there  will  be  more  or  less 
effusion  take  place,  which  w^ll  exude  through  the 
skin,  or  small  vesicles  ma/form  and  burst,  dis- 
charging lymph,  this  is  a  very  favorable  sign,  or 
matter  nmy  form  and  cause  a  large  slough.  A 
man  told  me  he  had  a  large  pig  which  swelled  in 
its  body  and  that  there  was  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  matter  formed  so  that  the  greater  part  of 
the  skin  of  one  side  and  part  of  the  belly  peeled  off 
and  he  had  the  pig  destroyed.  This  was,  no  doubt, 
a  case  of  erysipelas.  I  have  seen  cases  in  very  fat 
pigs  where  the  skin  of  the  abdomen  loosened  from 
the  connective  tissue  and  hung  down.  There  was 
very  little  effusion.  In  time  the  hair  dropped  out 
and  the  skin  contracted  into  a  sort  of  fold.  In  time 
the  animal  recovered,  but  it  was  much  disfigured. 
In  cases  where  the  head  and  face  are  the  parts  af- 
fected the  inflammation  often  extends  to  the  brain 
through  the  nostrils  and  ethmoidal  cells,  causing 
delirium  and  death. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stage  a  dose  of  epsom 
salts  is  proper  and  cooling  medicine,  such  as  ni- 
trate of  potassium  in  ten  grain  doses  three  or  four 
times  a  day.  If  there  is  irritation  of  the  bowels 
castor  oil  in  one  to  two  ounce  doses  will 
be  the  best  cathartic.  Should  the  pulse  be 
fast  and  full,  give  a  few  doses  of  tinc- 
ture of  aconite  three  to  five  drops  every  two 
hours  until  the  pulse  is  reduced  both  in  force 
and  frequency.  When  there  is  feebleness  from  the 
beginning  with  restlessness  or  nerve  irritation  one 
grain  each  of  opium  and  ipecacuanha  should  be 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  169 

given  three  or  four  times  a  day.  Tincture  chloride 
of  iron  has  been  found  very  useful  in  this  disease 
in  doses  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  drops  every  two 
hours  throughout  the  disease  without  reference 
to  the  degree  of  fever  or  delirium.  ^  The  best  local 
treatment  is  to  keep  the  swollen  part  constantly 
wet  with  acetate  of  lead  lotion,  strength  half  an 
ounce  to  the  quart  of  water.  The  effusion  of  slip- 
pery elm  bark  has  been  used  with  success,  but  I 
have  had  the  most  advantage  from  the  use  of  the 
lead.  The  animal  should  be  fed  on  milk  and  oat- 
meal and  kept  comfortable  and  given  all  the  cold 
water  it  will  drink.  If  blisters  form  they  should 
be  opened  to  prevent  them  from  communication 
and  the  consequent  loss  of  the  skin,  and  dress  the 
opened  vesicle  with  acetate  of  lead  lotion.  If  gan- 
grene should  take  place  in  a  part  it  may  possibly 
be  arrested  by  applying  a  blister  over  the  surface 
of  the  part  affected.  Also  support  the  strength 
of  the  animal  with  beef  tea  and  quinine  and 
whisky.  It  is  seldom  that  the  animal  recovers 
after  gangrene  sets  in  in  any-  part  of  the  affected 
surface. 


no  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

RHEUMATISM. 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  among  pigs,  espe- 
cially young  ones.  It  is  a  constitutional  disease 
attended  by  a  peculiar  irritation  or  it  might  be 
called  an  inflammation  to  which  all  parts  of  the 
body  are  liable,  but  it  is  found  most  frequently  in 
the  hind  legs.  It  is  found  in  two  forms,  muscular 
and  articular,  the  former  when  it  affects  the  tissue 
of  the  muscle,  and  the  latter  when  it  affects  the 
structures  composing  the  joints.  The  nature  of 
rheumatism  is  not  well  understood.  The  profes- 
sion is  divided  as  to  what  it  really  is;  some  say  the 
offending  matter  is  lactic  acid,  others  that  it  is 
uric  acid,  but  none  of  these  substances  have  been 
found  in  sufficient  quantities  to  cause  it.  Wood 
says  of  this  disease:  "All  that  we  know  of  the 
real  nature  of  this  disease  is  that  it  is  peculiar,  and 
that  it  owes  this  peculiarity,  not  to  the  character 
of  the  cause,  but  to  some  unexplained  condition  of 
the  system  called  the  rheumatic  predisposition  or 
diathesis.  I  am  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  this 
diathesis  is  in  itself  a  morbid  state,  in  fact,  the 
true  disease,  and  that  the  irritation  and  inflamma- 
tion by  which  it  is  recognized  are  merely  syiDp- 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  171 

toms  of  its  full  development.  That  the  rheumatic 
differs  essentially  from  ordinary  inflammation  is 
shown  chiefly  by  its  shifting  character,  its  disposi- 
tion to  alternate  with  mere  irritation  or  functional 
disorder,  and  the  almost  entire  absence  of  any 
tendenc}^  to  suppuration,  even  in  the  most  violent 
cases." 

'Causes:  It  is  impossible  to  say  what  causes 
rheumatism  in  the  pig,  as  it  is  found  under  all  con- 
ditions, when  the  pigs  are  well  kept  and  when  they 
are  not.  Cold  seems  to  be  an  exciting  cause  of 
acute  rheumatism,  moisture  increases  its  effect, 
thus  it  is  often  found  in  pigs  which  have  to  sleep 
in  wet,  cold  beds,  but  in  the  majority  of  cases  some- 
thing more  than  cold  and  moisture  is  needed.  Sub- 
acute rheumatism  is  the  form  usually  found  in  the 
pig,  although  I  have  seen  a  few  cases  of  acute  rheu- 
matism. 

Symptoms:  There  is  lameness  of  one  or  more 
legs  which  is  more  or  less  noticeable  according  to 
the  severity  of  the  case.  The  joints  often  swell  at 
the  fetlock.  If  the  swelling  is  inflammatory  there 
will  be  decided  fever  and  thus  constitute  acute 
rheumatism,  causing  a  rise  in  temperature,  a  full, 
fast  pulse,  loss  of  appetite,  and  an  indication  that 
the  animal  is  suffering  pain.  I  have  seen  some 
cases  of  this  kind  where  if  the  pig  was  made  to 
move  it  would  squeal  with  pain.  From  the  effects 
of  the  inflammation  there  may  be  an  increased  se- 
cretion of  the  synovial  fluid  and  fluctuation  may 
be  noticed  in  the  joints.  In  some  cases  the  carti- 
lage and  tissue  of  the  joints  become  enlarged  and 


172  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

remain  so,  causing  stiffness  of  the  joints.  In  the 
muscular  form,  as  well  as  in  the  articular,  the 
disease  may  extend  to  several  muscles  or  may  be 
limited  to  one.  It  very  frequently  involves  several 
in  the  same  neighborhood  and  concerned  in  the 
same  action.  There  may  or  may  not  be  inflamma- 
tion, or  only  an  irritation  causing  soreness  and 
stiffness  with  little  or  no  swelling.  If  inflamma- 
tion is  present  there  will  be  pain,  swelling  and  red- 
ness, causing  high  fever.  This  variety  of  rheuma- 
tism is  not  confined  to  the  muscles  and  joints,  but 
may  affect  any  tissue  of  the  body.  There  is  reason 
to  believe  that  it  sometimes  attacks  the  nervous 
sheaths,  producing  severe  pain  along  their  course 
or  may  extend  to  the  nerves  themselves,  producing 
spasms  of  the  parts.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that 
many  of  the  severe  complicated  nervous  disorders, 
both  of  external  and  internal  parts,  connected  with 
tenderness  of  the  spinal  column  and  the  marrow, 
causing  paralysis  of  the  hind  legs,  are  due  to  sub- 
acute rheumatism.  In  some  forms  of  rheumatism 
ithere  is  a  great  tendency  for  it  to  shift  from  one 
joint  to  another  or  frgm  one  part  of  the  body  to 
another.  This  form  is  less  likely  to  cause  bad  re- 
sults, as  it  is  only  an  irritation  and  not  inflamma- 
tory, Kheumatism  is  liable  to  attack  any  organ 
of  the  body,  such  as  the  heart,  lungs,  pleura,  dia- 
phragm, abdomen,  stomach,  liver,  kidneys,  bowels, 
etc.  Rheumatism  in  the  acute  or  subacute  form  is 
not  a  fatal  disease  unless  it  affects  some  of  the  in- 
ternal organs,  especially  the  heart,  but  it  is  apt  to 
leave    complications,  especially  is  this  the  case 


mSEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  if^ 

in  fat  pigs.  If  pigs  are  unable  to  rise  the  constant 
pressure  on  the  muscles  and  fatty  materiaF  from 
lying  on  them  soon  causes  them  to  undergo  decom- 
position and  gangrene  ending  either  in  sloughing 
or  death.  There  is  a  chronic  form  of  rheumatism 
which  affects  young  pigs  which  are  kept  in  wet, 
cold  places.  This  form  of  rheumatism  is  most 
commonly  found  in  the  joints,  although  it  may 
affect  the  fibrous,  synovial  or  muscular  tissue.  In 
this  form  of  the  disease  the  swelling  of  the  joints 
is  not  much  and  to  all  appearances  in  some  cases 
not  at  all.  In  such  cases  the  muscles  often  waste 
away,  shrink  and  become  shorter.  I  have  seen 
young  pigs  affected  with  this  disease  going  around 
in  a  stiff  manner,  hump-back,  with  shrinking  of 
the  muscles  of  the  legs,  hips  and  loins;  such  cases 
do  not  grow  and  are  not  worth  keeping  unless  they 
are  properly  treated  and  cured. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stages  of  rheumatism 
give  from  one  to  two  ounces  of  sulphate  of  mag- 
nesia or  two  drops  of  croton  oil  in  a  spoonful  of 
sweet  oil;  if  this  does  not  cause  purging  in  fifteen 
hours  repeat  the  dose.  There  is  no  remedy  which 
will  give  so  much  relief  in  acute  rheumatism  as  a 
good  physic  and  I  have  had  the  best  results  from 
the  use  of  croton  oil;  follow  this  by  giving  ten  to 
fifteen  drops  of  the  oil  of  gaultheria  in  a  spoonful 
of  sw^eet  oil  or  raw  linseed  oil  three  times  a  day. 
Iodide  of  potassium  in  ten  grain  doses  three  times 
a  day  is  also  useful,  or  the  bicarbonate  of  potas- 
sium in  ten  grain  doses  along  with  the  food  three 
times  a  day.     In  cases  of  inflammator}^  rheuma- 


174  t>ISEASES  OP  THE  HOG. 

tism  when  the  pulse  is  full,  fast  and  strong  three 
to  five  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite  every  two  hours 
in  a  little  water  will  be  found  useful  to  reduce  the 
fever,  then  give  the  oil  of  gaultheria.  In  cases  of 
chronic  rheumatism  I  have  found  arsenic  to  be  of 
great  service,  five  to  eight  drops  of  Fowler's  solu- 
tion of  arsenic  in  the  food  at  a  dose  three  times  a 
day  and  continued  for  several  weeks. 

Local  Treatment:  When  the  joints  are  swollen, 
hot  and  tender  to  the  touch  use  a  mixture  of  one 
ounce  of  tincture  of  opium,  one  ounce  fluid  extract 
of  belladonna  and  half  a  pint  of  water,  bathe  the 
swollen  parts  several  times  a  day  with  a  little  of 
this.  In  cases  where  the  joints  are  swollen  but 
neither  hot  nor  tender  the  use  of  cantharides  will 
sometimes  work  wonders,  strength  one  part  of 
cantharides  to  four  parts  of  lard,  repeat  in  a  week 
if  necessary.  I  have  seen  hogs  which  could  not 
walk  from  swelling  and  deep  seated  pain  in  two 
days  after  the  application  of  a  cantharidine  blister 
be  able  to  walk  and  soon  get  well.  In  milder  cases 
camphorated  soap  liniment  well  rubbed  in  to  the 
swollen  parts  will  often  relieve  the  pain.  There 
are  a  great  many  medicines  which  are  used  for  the 
treatment  of  rheumatism,  but  the  above  will  be 
found  to  be  the  best. 

SPRAINS. 

Pigs,  both  young  and  old,  are  liable  to  sprains  of 
the  ligaments  and  tendons  of  joints  which  will 
cause  lameness  more  or  less  severe  and  in  some 


tUSEASES   OF   THE   HOG.  ItS 

<^ases  there  will  be  swelling  of  the  parts.  This  ail- 
ment may  be  mistaken  for  rheumatism  and  if  such 
should  be  the  case  no  harm  would  be  done,  as  the 
treatment  recommended  for  acute  rheumatism 
would  be  proper.  Cases  of  lameness,  although 
they  may  be  slight,  ought  to  be  attended  to  as  any 
suffering  that  the  pig  may  be  subjected  to  will 
cause  a  reduction  of  flesh  resulting  in  loss  to  the 
owner. 


11(5  t)IS£:ASES  OP  THE  HOdJ. 


CHAPTEK  XX. 
DISEASES  OF  THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM. 

Phrenitis.  (Inflammation  of  the  Brain.)  Menin- 
gitis, Inflammation  of  the  Membrane  of  the  Brain. 
These  two  diseases  are  so  much  alike  that  it  is  im- 
possible in  the  animal  to  discriminate  accurately 
between  them.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that 
at  times  the  inflammation  may  exist  sepa- 
rately in  either  the  brain  itself  or  its  cov- 
ering, but  it  is  only  on  dissection  that  the  true 
nature  of  the  disease  is  demonstrated.  It  is  of  lit- 
tle practical  importance,  as  the  treatment  would 
be  the  same  in  either  case.  In  the  vast  majority 
of  cases  both  the  brain  and  its  membranes  are 
more  or  less  affected  at  the  same  time. 

Causes:  One  of  the  most  common  causes  of  in- 
flammation is  a  rich  state  of  the  blood  caused  by 
over  feeding,  short  thick  necks  and  a  weak  circula- 
tion, some  kinds  of  food,  such  as  brewers'  grains 
and  distillery  slops,  often  produce  it.  It  is  often 
the  result  of  other  diseases  and  injuries,  such  as 
kicks  and  blows,  over-exertion,  such  as  being  pur- 
sued on  a  hot  day.  It  also  sometimes  occurs  with- 
out any  apparent  cause. 

Symptoms:  The  attack  sometimes  comes  on  sud-^ 
denly  or  it  may  be  preceded  by  dulness,  loss  of 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG,  177 

appetite  and  the  animal  appearing  stupid,  and  as 
it  becomes  more  pronounced  the  animal  will  stag- 
ger and  have  the  appearance  of  being  giddy  with  a 
wild  expression  of  the  eyes;  there  is  often  a  twitch- 
ing of  the  eyelids,  sometimes  so  much  so  that  it 
may  completely  close  them  for  a  moment,  then  ex- 
tend them  wide  open  and  so  on.  At  this  stage  of 
the  disease  the  pulse  is  full  and  hard  and  the 
breathing  slow;  the  animal  soon  becomes  very  rest- 
less and  at  times  will  tear  substances  with  its 
teeth,  and  sooner  or  later  delirium  sets  in,  the  pulse 
is  then  full,  hard  and  fast  and  may  be  irregular; 
the  breathing  is  hurried,  the  skin  hot  and  dry,  vom- 
iting is  very  characteristic  of  this  disease,  although 
I  have  seen  cases  where  vomiting  did  not  occur. 
The  delirium  soon  gives  way  to  stupor  then  to 
coma,  but  this  is  not  so  common  in  the  pig  as  in 
man  (exhaustion  with  convulsion.)  We  cannot 
confine  the  animal  in  its  wild  delirious  condition 
and  on  this  account  it  soon  exhausts  itself  and  dies. 
It  is  seldom  that  a  pig  affected  w  ith  this  complaint 
will  live  more  than  twenty-four  to  thirty-six  hours. 
I  was  called  to  examine  a  number  of  pigs  which 
were  supposed  to  be  affected  with  hydrophobia, 
but  which  proved  to  be  inflammation  of  the  brain 
caused  by  a  sudden  change  of  food.  The  animals 
had  been  fed  on  dry  corn  in  the  ear  for  a  length  of 
time  without  sufficient  water  and  w^ere  changed  to 
green  corn  and  corn  stalks  and  in  three  days  after 
eight  of  them  were  affected,  I  could  find  no  other 
cause.  All  the  well  ones  were  put  back  on  the  dry 
food  and  none  of  them  were  affected.     On  the  sec- 


178  DISEASES   OF  THE   HOrj. 

ODd  day  after  the  change  from  dry  food  to  greea 
corn  diarrhea  set  in  and  those  which  had  this 
complaint  bad  had  the  brain  symptoms.  The  ma- 
jority of  the  affected  ones  became  wild,  would  run 
about,  some  of  them  squealing,  and  would  attack 
poultry  of  an}'  kind  and  tear  them  if  they  got  hold 
of  them,  they  did  not  attack  each  other;  very  soon 
they  would  bump  up  against  anything  they  came 
in  contact  with,  because  they  had  lost  either  their 
sight  or  sense.  I  think  in  most  cases  both  the  pigs 
were  in  such  a  state  of  excitement  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  get  a  correct  condition  of  the  pulse  or 
respiration;  the  pulse  as  found  was  full  and  not 
fast,  but  irregular;  the  pupils  of  the  eyes  were  very 
much  contracted;  some  champed  the  jaws  and  had 
considerable  froth  at  the  mouth  as  a  result,  others 
did  not,  but  all  were  very  restless  without  a  mo- 
ment of  relief;  finally  they  became  exhausted  or 
partially  paralyzed  or  a  combination  of  both,  first 
their  hind  legs,  then  the  fore,  they  would  then 
struggle  on  their  side  or  bellies  and  soon  die.  I 
had  one  of  the  pigs  killed,  and  made  a  hasty  exam- 
ination of  the  head.  I  found  the  membrane  of  the 
brain  much  thickened  and  very  vascular,  in  fact 
congested;  there  was  considerable  fluid  beneath 
the  arachnoid  membrane,  also  in  the  ventricles  and 
the  meshes  of  the  pia  matter.  The  brain  itself  was 
not  much  changed,  although  there  was  some  ap- 
pearance of  congestion  on  the  cortical  substance 
and  the  cut  surface  of  the  medullary  portion  was 
thickly  dotted  with  red  spots.  I  found  sufficient 
alterations  of  the  membranes  and  brain  to  account 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  179 

for  the  cause  of  disease.  The  lungs  and  stomach 
had  spots  of  congestion.  All  the  other  organs  were 
healthy.  I  treated  the  other  seven  with  a  dose  of 
epsom  salts  and  a  few  doses  of  tincture  of  aconite, 
but  only  one  recovered,  the  others  died  during  the 
night. 

Treatment  of  Inflammation  of  the  Brain :  In  the 
early  stage  give  a  strong  dose  of  epsom  salts,  two 
ounces  to  the  adult  pig;  follow  this  by  giving  three 
to  five  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite  if  it  does  not 
cause  vomiting;  if  it  does,  it  should  be  discon- 
tinued. Ice  to  the  head  would  be  of  service,  but  it 
is  impossible  to  apply  it  to  the  head  of  the  pig.  A 
blister  of  cantharides  to  the  back  of  the  head  may 
be  of  use  and  should  be  tried. 

CHOREA. 

Chorea:  This  disease  affects  the  muscles,  caus- 
ing involuntary  contractions  in  some  part  of  the 
body.  The  contractions  are  not  rigid  or  persistent 
like  those  of  tetanus,  nor  quick  or  jerking  like 
those  of  convulsions.  They  resemble  somewhat 
the  voluntary  movements. 

Causes:  Defective  nutrition  has  something  to 
do  with  this  disease,  as  it  is  often  less  seen  in  ani- 
mals of  a  feeble  condition,  some  excitable  state  of 
the  nervous  system  or  the  nerves  supplying  a  mus- 
cle or  a  group  of  muscles.  I  have  seen  this  com- 
plaint affect  pigs  to  all  appearance  in  the  best  pos- 
sible condition.  It  is  therefore  difficult  to  ascribe 
a  cause.     It  seldom  attacks  very  young  or  very  old 


180  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

pigs;  from  six  months  to  one  year  is  the  usual  age. 
The  disease  does  not  seem  to  do  any  particular 
harm  to  the  hog  as  far  as  its  growth  and  health  are 
concerned. 

Symptoms:  The  first  thing  noticed  is  an  irreg- 
ular jerking  motion  of  some  of  the  muscles,  espe- 
cially those  of  the  shoulder,  fore  leg,  or  neck.  It 
gives  the  animal  an  unsteady  gait  When  the 
muscles  of  the  trunk  are  the  ones  affected  the  ani- 
mal is  pulled  to  one  side  or  the  other.  I  have  seen 
cases  where  the  pig  started  off  its  hind  parts  would 
drag  so  much  to  one  side  that  it  would  cause  the 
animal  to  fall  over.  In  slight  cases  there  may  only 
be  a  jerking  of  the  muscle  which  is  of  little  incon- 
venience to  the  animal.  This  dera-ngement  is  easily 
diagnosed  by  the  absence  of  fever,  coma,  delirium 
and  rigid  spasms  of  other  nervous  diseases  which 
are  not  present  in  this  one. 

Treatment:  In  the  great  majority  of  cases  treat- 
ment should  not  be  tried.  It  usually  does  not  affect 
the  health  of  the  animal  and  it  can  be  fed  for  mar- 
ket as  well  as  the  others.  If  it  should  affect  the 
muscles  of  the  mouth  so  as  to  prevent  the  animal 
from  eating  as  well  as  is  necessary  in  feeding  hogs 
medicine  may  be  tried.  The  subcarbonate  of  iron 
in  half  to  one  dram  doses  in  the  food  three  times 
a  day  is  a  good  remedj^  The  sulphate  of  zinc  in 
two  grain  doses  increased  to  three  or  four  if  the 
stomach  will  bear  it  or  Fowler's  solution  of  arsenic 
in  five  drop  doses  three  times  a  day  in  food  is  also 
good. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  jgj 

TETANUS. 

The  exciting  causes  of  tetanus  are  wounds  and 
injuries.     A  great  deal  has  been  written  as  to  the 
character  of  the  wound,  but  it  is    generally    ad- 
mitted that  it  may  take  place  as  a  result  of  any 
kind  of  wound,  but  the  punctured  wounds,  espe- 
cially if  they  are  in  the  feet,  are  more  likely  to  pro- 
duce it  than  any  other  kind.     The  interval  between 
the  reception  of  the  wound  and  the  occurrence  of 
tetanus  is  very  uncertain.     According  to  the  state- 
ment of  some  writers  it  has  taken  in  a  few  minutes 
after  the  operation  or  wound,  but  it  most  frequent- 
ly takes  place  as  the  wound  begins  to  or  has  almost 
healed.     Idiopathic    tetanus    is  supposed   to    be 
caused  by  something  which  is  likely  to  disturb  the 
motor  nerve  system,  such  as  exposure  to  cold,  in- 
digestible substances  in  the  stomach,  worms  in  the 
intestines  and  irritation  of  the  urine  system.     It 
has  made  its  appearance  and  the  cause  could  not 
be  determined.     It  is  ascribed  to  a  bacillus  tetani 
which  is  found  in  the  soil  getting  into  the  wound 
and  there  developing  in  the  nerve  tissue.     The  fact 
that  tetanus  in  some  cases  comes  on  immediately 
after  a  surgical  operatioli  would  throw  doubt  on 
this  statement.     I  intend  making  a  number  of  ex- 
periments on  this  bacillus  tetani  this  fall  and  shall 
publish  the  results. 

Symptoms:  The  first  thing  noticed  in  animals 
affected  with  this  disease  will  be  a  protruding  of 
the  membrana  nictitans  (a  membrane  of  the  eye 
peculiar  to  animals)  when  the  head  is  turned  to  one 
side.     There  will  be  stiffness  of  the  muscles  near 


182  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG 

the  seat  of  the  injury;  if  the  animal  is  made  to 
move,  as  soon  as  the  muscles  of  the  face  become 
affected  it  champs  its  jaws,  causing  a  froth  at  the 
mouth;  soon  the  muscles  of  the  back  become  con- 
tracted, drawing  the  head  upwards  with  the  nose 
poked  out,  and  the  ears  are  pricked  upwards  and 
inwards,  the  back  bent  downwards  and  the  tail 
elevated;  the  muscles  are  always  in  a  state  of  con- 
traction, but  if  the  animal  is  disturbed  in  any  way 
there  will  be  an  extra  spasm  of  the  muscles  which 
causes  great  suffering  to  the  animal.  At  first  the 
pulse  is  not  much  affected,  but  as  the  disease  ad- 
vances and  the  spasms  become  more  severe  it  be- 
comes faster  and  harder;  the  breathing  also  is  fast- 
er, especially  when  a  spasm  is  on,  sometimes  the 
spasms  are  so  severe  that  the  animal  is  thrown 
down  and  is  unable  to  rise;  the  muscles  of  degluti- 
tion are  sometimes  affected  and  the  animal  is  un- 
able to  swallow. 

Treatment:  The  disease  is  the  result  of  an  over- 
exhilarated  state  of  the  spinal  cord  and  requires  a 
strong  dose  of  medicine  which  will  overcome  this 
condition.  I  find  that  bromide  of  potassium  will 
accomplish  this  providing  the  doses  are  large 
enough.  Give  the  pig  one  ounce  bromide  of  potas- 
sium at  the  first  dose  and  half  an  ounce  every  two 
hours  until  the  muscles  relax,  give  the  medicine  in 
gruel.  Keep  the  animal  hungry  and  thirsty  so 
that  it  will  suck  this  into  its  mouth.  Keep  the  pig 
in  a  dark  place.  There  are  other  medicines  which 
have  been  recommended,  but  they  are  of  little  use. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  183 

PARALYSIS,  PARTIAL  PARALYSIS. 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  in  the  pig  most 
usually  affecting  the  hind  parts.  Pathological 
condition :  In  most  cases  paralysis  is  a  mere  symp- 
tom of  a  morbid  state  existing  in  some  other  part 
than  the  one  apparently  affected.  It  may  depend 
upon  disease,  either  in  the  nervous  centers,  incapa- 
citating them  for  the  reception  of  impressions  or 
the  origination  of  influence,  or  in  the  conducting 
filaments  which  form  the  communication  between 
all  parts  of  the  body  and  these  centers.  But  it 
may  also  be  strictly  local  and  depend  on  an  altered 
state  of  the  terminal  nerves.  The  nerve  centers 
are  probably  in  the  gray  matter  of  the  brain  and 
spinal  marrow  and  the  ganglia.  The  conducting 
filaments  probably  make  up  the  white  matter  of 
the  brain,  spinal  cord,  and  nerves.  It  follows  that 
the  true  seat  of  the  disease  may  be  in  the  encepha- 
lon,  the  spinal  marrow,  the  conducting  nerves  or 
the  nerve  ramifications  of  the  paralyzed  part. 
(Wood.)  J 

I  have  made  a  number  of  post  mortem  examina- 

e 

tions  and  also  examined  the  spinal  cord  and  have 
found  in  some  cases  the  cord  and  main  nerves  of 
the  paralyzed  parts  enlarged  and  softened  with 
considerable  effusion  in  the  sheaths,  and  in  others 
atrophied  and  indurated.  In  some  cases  I  could 
detec^  very  slight  change  in  the  nerve  structure. 
It  takes  a  very  slight  disturbance  in  the  nerve  or 
its  sheath  to  render  it  unfit  for  receiving  or  send- 
ing impressions  from  the  brain  or  from  the  nerves 
in  the  immediate  seat  of  the  disease. 


184  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

Symptoms:  Paralysis  may  come  on  suddenly 
or  gradually.  Usually  the  first  thing  noticeable 
in  the  pig  will  be  some  stiffness  in  rising  and  mov- 
ing about,  with  the  back  somewhat  arched,  knuck- 
ling forward  on  one  or  both  of  the  hind  legs  at  the 
ankles;  by  degrees  this  grows  worse.  If  the  pig 
can  rise  it  may  be  unable  to  stand,  as  the  hind  legs 
will  double  under  it  In  some  cases  the  animal 
seems  to  be  more  or  less  in  pain  and  if  made  to 
move  will  drag  its  hind  legs.  If  the  animal  is  not 
properly  treated  it  gets  still  weaker  until  it  cannot 
move  and  usually  dies  in  from  one  to  two  weeks.  At 
first  the  appetite  is  not  impaired  nor  the  heart's 
action  increased,  but  as  the  disease  advances  the 
pig  will  eat  but  little  and  the  pulse  becomes  faster 
and  weaker.  The  only  disease  which  might  be 
mistaken  for  paralysis  of  the  hind  parts  is  rheuma- 
tism. There  is  no  doubt  but  that  severe  rheuma- 
tism will  cause  the  animal  to  lose  more  or  less  con- 
trol of  its  hind  legs.  In  rheumatism  the  animal 
will  evince  more  pain  on  being  handled  and  if  ex- 
cited may  even  walk  for  a  short  distance.  There 
may  be  a  combination  of  rheumatism  and  paralysis 
in  cases  where  the  rheumatism  affects  the  sheath 
of  the  nerve,  but  as  the  treatment  of  this  form  of 
rheumatism  would  be  the  same  or  nearly  so  as  in 
paralysis  there  would  be  no  harm  done  in  using  it 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease 
give  the  pig  one  ounce  of  castor  oil  and  one  ^r  two 
drops  of  croton  oil  in  it;  as  soon  as  the  physic  oper- 
ates give  eight  or  ten  grains  of  iodide  of  potassium 
three  times  a  day  in  the  drinking  water;  if  the  ani- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  185 

mal  will  not  take  it  in  the  drinking  water  put  it  in 
a  little  water  and  give  it  with  a  spoon.  In  three 
days  if  the  animal  is  not  improved  give  it  from 
two  to  three  drops  of  fluid  extract  of  nux  vomica 
and  from  ten  to  fifteen  drops  of  oil  of  gaultheria 
in  a  tablespoon  of  sweet  oil  three  times  a  day. 
Also  rub  the  back,  loins  and  hips  once  a  day  with 
a  little  compound  soap  liniment.  Feed  the  pig  on 
oatmeal  mush  and  milk,  with  a  little  of  anything 
else  it  will  take.  Also  see  that  the  animal  is  shel- 
tered from  the  heat  of  the  sun,  rain  and  cold.  I  have 
been  very  successful  in  the  curing  of  this  disease 
by  the  above  treatment 

HYDROPHOBIA,  RABIES,  RABIES  CANINA. 

This  is  a  peculiar  disease  resulting  from  the  en- 
trance into  the  system  of  a  poison  of  a  rabid  ani- 
mal^ the  poison  is  almost  always  received  by  the 
bite  of  an  animal.  The  wound  usually  heals  and 
for  some  time  after  no  constitutional  effects  are 
felt.  It  is  seldom  that  any  symptoms  of  the  dis- 
ease are  show^n  until  about  the  twentieth  day  after 
the  bite.  Some  believe  that  it  may  originate  in 
man  or  dogs  independently  of  any  poison  entering 
the  system,  but  it  is  not  likely  that  it  has  been 
•real  hydrophobia,  as  there  are  a  number  of  nervous 
diseases  which  somewhat  resemble  hydrophobia 
and  may  have  been  mistaken  for  it.  There  is  no 
doubt  but  what  the  saliva  contains  the  germs  of 
the  poison,  and  if  it  should  come  in  contact  with 
a  mucous  membrane  it  will  become  absorbed. 

Youatt  mentions  that  persons  have     been  at- 


J  86  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

tacked  with  hydrophobia  in  consequence  of  having 
wiped  their  mouths  with  linen  wliich  had  been 
impregnated  with  the  saliva  of  a  mad  dog;  and  a 
ease  is  mentioned  in  which  the  disease  originated 
from  an  attempt  to  untie  with  the  teeth  a  knot  in  a 
cord  by  which  one  of  these  diseased  animals  had 
been  fastened.  Horses,  oxen,  sheep  and  other  ani- 
mals are  said  to  have  contracted  the  disease  by 
eating  the  straw  upon  which  mad  dogs  have  lain. 
We  should  therefore  be  very  careful  if  any  ani- 
mal should  have  an  attack  of  hydrophobia  to  be 
on  the  lookout  in  handling  an  animal  or  anything 
which  it  may  have  come  in  contact  with,  in  case 
that  any  of  the  poison  should  touch  any  abraded 
surface  or  mucous  membrane.  A  great  many  per- 
sons who  are  bitten  are  never  attacked  with  the 
disease.  It  is  possible  that  some  systems  are  not 
susceptible  to  the  poison.  It  is  said  that  some  ani- 
mals are  more  poisonous  than  others.  In  man  or 
animals  that  are  bitten  by  the  wolf  a  much  larger 
portion  is  attacked  than  in  those  bitten  by  the  dog; 
this  is,  however,  explained  by  asserted  facts  that 
the  wolf  generally  flies  at  the  naked  part,  as  the 
face  and  hands,  while  the  dog  more  often  bites 
through  the  clothing  and  in  this  way  the  teeth 
may  be  wiped  off  before  reaching  the  skin,  and  the 
hair  of  animals  may  to  a  certain  extent  do  the 
same,  but  the  percentage  of  deaths  of  animals 
bitten  by  the  same  dog  is  much  greater  than  that 
of  man;  of  one  hundred  and  fourteen  cases  of  per- 
sons bitten  by  mad  wolves,  collected  by  Dr.  Wat- 
son, sixty-seven  died;  while  of  fifteen  persons  bit- 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  187 

ten  by  a  mad  dog  only  three  died.  Dr.  John  Hun- 
ter states  that  he  knew  an  instance  in  which  twen- 
ty-one were  bitten  and  only  one  died.  The  germ  of 
hydrophobia  lodged  within  the  animal  body  re- 
quires time  for  its  reproductive  process  to  be  com- 
pleted, and  this  process  may  be  hastened  or  re- 
tarded by  various  conditions  w^hich  are  not  easily 
made  out.  It  usually,  I  suppose,  if  conditions  are 
favorable,  takes  place  about  the  twentieth  day, 
seldom  before  that  period,  or  it  may  take  from  one 
to  three  months.  Cases  have  been  reported  in 
man  in  which  it  made  its  appearance  after  several 
years;  in  one  case  ten  years. 

The  symptoms  of  the  disease  in  the  hog  resemble 
very  much  those  in  the  dog.  The  animal  has  at 
first  an  altered  look,  is  very  restless  and  frequently 
changes  his  position,  will  often  be  seen  to  rub  a 
certain  part  of  its  body,  and  if  it  should  be  within 
reach  of  its  mouth  will  bite  at  it,  and  if  the  part  is 
examined  there  will  be  found  a  scar,  the  seat  of  the 
bite;  it  will  be  somewhat  swollen  and  if  the  skin 
was  white  it  will  be  changed  to -red,  it  may  even 
break  open  again.  There  is  no  doubt  but  what  the 
animal  feels  it  either  itchy  or  painful.  The  ani- 
mal has  a  disposition  to  pick  up  and  swallow  dirt 
of  any  kind  and  occasionally  vomit.  In  some  cases 
it  becomes  irritable  and  will  bite  at  anything  that 
comes  in  its  way,  or  may  run  at  other  pigs.  There 
is  a  flow  of  saliva  from  the  mouth,  caused  more  or 
less  by  a  champing  of  the  jaws.  The  voice  of  the 
animal  is  changed  into  a  spasmodic  grunt,  some- 
w'hcA  resembling  the  bark  of  a  dog.     There  mus! 


183  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

be  some  stricture  of  the  throat,  as  the  animal 
seems  to  want  to  get  something  out  of  it  and  will 
even  put  its  feet  up  to  the  corners  of  the  mouth. 
The  breathing  is  labored  and  has  a  peculiar  sound, 
caused,  no  doubt,  from  the  throat  affection.  As 
the  disease  advances  the  animal  will  become  more 
excited,  and  if  at  liberty  will  run  around,  snap- 
ping at  everything  it  meets  and  sometimes  seems 
as  if  it  were  looking  for  something  to  attack.  At 
length  symptoms  of  paralysis  set  in,  the  legs  give 
way,  the  lower  jaw  drops  and  the  animal  usually 
dies  about  the  fourth  or  fifth  day,  although  I  have 
known  them  to  die  sooner. 

Treatment  is  of  no  use  after  the  disease  is  once 
established,  and  the  animal  should  be  destroyed. 
If  an  animal  is  known  to  be  bitten  by  a  rabid  ani- 
mal the  parts  should  be  washed  and  caustic  jjotass 
applied;  this  is  the  best  caustic  because  it  will  pen- 
etrate deeper  into  the  wound  than  any  other  caus- 
tic. If  none  is  at  hand,  take  a  red  hot  iron  and 
burn  the  part  as  deep  as  possible.  If  this  is  well 
done  it  will  save  the  animal's  life  in  every  case. 


Horizontal  section  of  the  kidney  of  a  hog.  a.  Cortical 
sul)stance;  b.  Medullary  substance;  c.  Renal  papillae;  d.  In- 
fundibulum;  e.  Ureter  cut  across. 


DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG.  189 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS. 

A  short  description  of  the  kidneys  is  necessary 
so  that  we  may  have  a  better  idea  of  the  cause  and 
nature  of  their  diseases.  The  kidneys  are  two 
glandular  organs  situated  in  the  lumbar  region 
of  the  back.  They  are  composed  of  a  number  of 
tubes  and  tufts,  around  which  the  bl(Tod  vessels 
run.  The  supply  of  blood  to  the  kidneys  is  very 
large  for  the  size  of  these  organs.  The  tubes  be- 
gin very  small  at  the  surface  of  the  kidney  and  are 
very  numerous;  they  soon  join  one  another,  be- 
coming larger  and  finally  terminate  in  a  part  of 
the  kidney  termed  the  pelvis.  At  the  lower  border 
from  this  place  there  is  a  small  duct  which  leads 
to  the  bladder,  through  which  the  urine  passes. 
The  use  of  the  kidneys  is  to  secrete  the  water  and 
effete  matters  in  the  form  of  urine  and  uric  acid, 
which  would  soon  poison  the  body  if  it  remained 
there.  The  blood  vessels  ramify  around  the  tubes, 
and  the  epithelium  of  the  tubes  secretes  the  urine 
from  the  blood,  and  if  we  consider  the  quantity  of 
urine  which  is  secreted  daily  we  need  not  wonder 
at  the  size  of  the  blood  vessels  which  go  to  and 
from  the  kidneys.     If  from  want  of  action,  from 


190  DTSEASKS   OF  THE  HOa. 

disease,  or  otherwise,  llie  kidneys  did  not  secrete 
tliis  material  from  the  bh)od  the  animal  would 
soon  suffer  from  a  form  of  blood  poisoning  called 
uremic.  The  quantity  of  urine  secreted  varies 
very  much  in  the  same  animal.  The  weather  has 
a  great  deal  to  do  with  the  amount  secreted.  Ani- 
mals pass  more  urine  in  winter  than  in  summer, 
as  heat  increases  the  quantity  removed  by  the 
skin  and  lessens  the  amount  passed  by  the  kidneys. 
Thick,  creamy  urine  is  the  result  of  a  sluggish 
condition  of  the  kidneys,  while  coffee  colored  and 
scanty  urine  is  the  result  of  fever  and  a  partial 
congestive  state  of  the  secretive  organs  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  body.  An  increase  in  the  quantity 
and  a  clecir  or  light  yellow  color  denote  either 
over-stimulation  or  it  is  seen  in  cold  weather,  and 
on  account  of  it  not  being  irritant  the  time  be- 
tween voiding  it  has  been  prolonged.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  it  is  passed  in  quantities  and  often 
and  the  animal  is  very  thirsty,  it  is  a  symptom  of 
a  disease  which  will  be  described  hereafter.  As 
long  as  an  animal  is  in  good  condition  and  spirits 
and  has  a  good  appetite,  no  notice  need  be  taken  of 
the  urine.  Diseases  of  the  urinary  organs  are  very 
rare  in  animals,  but  as  they  do  happen  sometimes 
I  shall  describe  a  few  of  them. 

Nephritis  (Inflammation  of  the  Kidneys). 
Causes:  Injuries,  cold  rains,  cold  water  dropping 
on  the  loins  for  a  length  of  time,  feeding  on  brew- 
ers' grains  and  distillery  slops,  kidney  worms,  etc. 
Symptoms:  The  animal  is  stiff  in  its  hind  parts, 
pain  in  the  loins  if  the  animal  is  made  to  move, 


DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG.  191 

or  if  slight  pressure  is  brought  to  bear  on  the  loins 
the  animal  will  squeal.  There  is  loss  of  appetite 
and  high  fever,  fast  pulse,  rapid  breathing  and 
elevated  temperature.  The  animal  is  restless  and 
a  few  drops  of  highly  colored  urine  will  be  passed 
at  short  intervals.  In  a  few  days,  if  the  animal  is 
not  relieved,  it  will  become  very  weak,  staggering 
on  its  legs,  especially  the  hind  ones;  the  fever  in- 
creases, and  the  brain  becomes  affected  from  the 
blood  being  poisoned  by  ureic  salts  not  being  elim- 
inated from  it,  thus  causing  uremic  poisoning. 
The  stomach  often  becomes  affected,  causing  vom- 
iting, and  there  will  be  a  strong  smell  of  urine. 
Treatment:  Give  a  dose  of  epsom  salts,  one  or 
two  ounces,  dissolved  in  half  a  pint  of  cold  water. 
If  the  stomach  is  irritable,  give  three  or  four  grains 
of  calomel  and  one  grain  of  opium  every  two  hours 
till  three  doses  are  taken.  This  combination  has 
often  the  effect  of  quieting  the  stomach,  so  that 
it  will  retain  salts.  When  the  fever  is  very  high, 
give  from  three  to  five  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite 
in  a  little  water  every  tw^o  hours  until  the  fever 
is  reduced.  If  there  is  much  pain  one  or  two  grains 
of  opium  should  be  given.  The  animal  should  be 
encouraged  to  drink  all  the  cold  water  possible; 
barley  and  ice  w^ater  may  also  be  given  with  the 
bottle.  Sometimes  sixty  drops  of  tincture  of 
opium,  mixed  with  linseed  tea  and  given  as  an 
Injection,  is  very  useful.  Apply  mustard  poultices 
to  the  loins.  When  the  acute  symptoms  are 
passed,  give  a  teaspoonful  of  spirits  of  nitrous 
ether  and  a  teaspoonful  of  fluid  extract  of  buchu 


J  92  mSEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

three  times  a  day  in. a  little  water.  If  the  heart  is 
irritable,  and  there  is  great  suppression  of  urine, 
bathe  the  loins  with  hot  water,  and  saturate  a 
piece  of  flannel  with  tincture  of  digitalis  and  lay 
it  over  them,  or  give  from  one  to  three  drops  of 
the  fluid  extract  of  digitalis  in  a  little  water  three 
or  four  times  a  day.  When  the  animal  becomes 
convalescent,  give  it  a  teaspoonful  of  tincture  of 
chloride  of  iron  twice  daily  in  a  little  syrup.  Give 
the  pig  anything  it  will  eat 

HEMATURIA  (BLOOD  WITH  THE  URINE). 

This  derangement  is  sometimes  seen  in  the  pig. 
It  appears  in  two  forms,  traumatic  and  idiopathic. 
Traumatic  hematuria  is  caused  by  injuries  and 
strains.  I  have  known  cases  caused  by  heavy  hogs 
being  loaded  into  cars;  also  from  hogs  getting 
down  and  being  trampled  on  or  squeezed  by  the 
others. 

Symptoms:  The  urine  is  of  a  blood  red  color; 
if  there  is  much  hemorrhage  it  wilLbe  of  a  pink 
color;  very  soon  after  the  urine  has  been  passed 
the  blood  will  separate  into  clots  on  the  ground 
or  floor;  it  is  therefore  easily  distinguished  from 
idiopathic  hematuria,  in  which  the  blood  does  not 
separate  into  clot«  In  some  cases  the  pig  does  not 
want  to  stand  and  has  some  difficulty  in  rising,  and 
if  made  to  walk  will  move  off  stiffly  and  may  show 
signs  of  pain.  The  appetite  will  be  more  or  less 
impaired;  there  is  often  high  fever,  fast,  weak 
pulse,  and  elevated  temperature.    If  inflammatio^i 


DISEASES    OV"   TME    nOG.  193 

should  set  in  tlie  secretions  of  urine  will  be  scanty 
and  the  bowels  are  usuall}^  constipated. 

Treatment:  Keep  the  animal  as  quiet  as  pos- 
sible. Give  it  one  or  two  ounces  epsom  salts  to 
clean  out  the  bowels  and  cool  the  system;  then  give 
ten  grains  acetate  of  lead  and  two  grains  of  opium, 
at  a  dose,  repeat  in  four  hours  with  half  the  quan- 
tity and  so  on  until  the  hemorrhage  ceases.  If 
the  discharge  of  blood  should  be  abundant  give  the 
lead  and  opium  at  once.  In  this  case  the  salts 
should  not  be  given,  as  the  lead  and  opium  would 
prevent  the  salts  from  physicing.  If  the  fever  is 
high  and  the  pulse  full  give  five  drops  of  tincture 
of  aconite  every  two  hours.  Boil  flaxseed  and 
make  a  tea  of  it  and  give  it  cold  and  as  much  as 
the  pig  will  take.  If  the  injury  has  not  been  too 
severe  this  treatment  will  cure  it. 

IDIOPATHIC  HEMATURIA. 

This  form  of  the  disease  is  observed  under  a 
great  variety  of  circumstances.  It  seems  to  occur 
in  certain  localities  and  seasons.  I  have  known  it 
to  break  out  among  a  herd  of  hogs  that  had  been 
fed  on  diseased  potatoes,  and  it  has  made  its  ap- 
pearance among  hogs  without  any  apparent  cause. 

Symptoms:  There  is  a  copious  discharge  of  a 
dark  or  red  colored  urine  which  does  not  separate 
into  clots  on  the  floor  or  ground;  the  animal  moves 
stifiiy  and  is  weak  in  its  hind  legs,  the  pulse  is  fast 
and  rather  weak,  the  breathing  is  increased  in 
frequency,  and  in  the  later  stages  of  the  disease  is 
panting  or  spasmodic,  the  temperature  will  be  up 


194  DISEASES    OF   THE   H0(^. 

to  104  to  106,  there  is  loss  of  appetite,  and  usually 
the  auimal  will  be  thirsty;     as  the    disease  ad- 
vances the  pig  will  be  unable  to  rise  from  weak- 
ness, the  pulse  will  be  very  fast  and  weak,  the 
*l^reathing  difficult  and  the  animal  will  either  die 
or  be  in  a  state  of  coma  or  convulsions.    The  nature 
of  this  disease  is  not  well  understood,  but  it  is  no 
doubt  caused  from  faulty  nutrition  which  does  not 
supply  sufficient  material  to  keep  up  a  healthy 
state  of  the  blood,  hence  a  breaking  up  of  the  red 
corpuscles  and  a  passing  off  of  the  coloring  niatter 
by  way  of  the  kidneys.    The  post  mortem  examina- 
tions have  revealed  a  pale  flabby  state  of  the  mus- 
cles and  a  lack  in  the  coagulating  properties  of  the 
blood.    From  the  post  mortem  appearance  the  in- 
dications for  treatment  would     be    a    complete 
change  of  diet  and  medicine  to  stimulate  and  tone 
up  all  the  tissues  of  the  body.    The  food  should  be 
fine  ground  oats  of  good  quality,  flaxseed  meal  and 
milk,  plenty  of  pure  water  and  a  comfortable 
house.    Of  the  medicines,  the  tincture  chloride  of 
iron  in  dram  doses  three  times  a  day  will  be  the 
best    Also  two  or  three  drops  of  the  fluid  extract 
of  nux  vomica  three  times  a  day.    As  a  stimulant 
take  two  tablespoonfuls  of  whisky  and  dissolve 
three  or  four  grains  of  quinine  in  it,  give  such  a 
dose  three  times  a  day  for  a  few  days.     Hydro- 
chloric acid  in  ten-drop  doses  three  times  a  day  in 
also  good.    If  the  bowels  are  constipated  give  one 
or  two  ounces  of  castor  oil,  but  it  is  better  to  reg- 
ulate the  bowels  with  the  proper  kind  of  food. 


Diseases  op  the  hog.  195 

ISCHURIA  (SUPPRESSION  OF  URINE). 

This  is  not  a  common  disease  among  pigs.  Sup- 
pression or  scanty  passages  of  urine  is  a  result  of 
over'-stimulation  of  the  kidnej^s  or  feeding  innu- 
tritious  food;  also  such  medicines  as  cantharides, 
turpentine,  wood  ashes,  etc.  In  all  kinds  of  fever 
there  will  be  more  or  less  suppression.  When  the 
urine  is  scanty  it  is  irritant  and  is  passed  off  in 
drops.  It  may  also  be  caused  by  a  plugging  up 
of  the  kidneys  by  fat.  If  there  is  true  suppression 
of  urine,  symptoms  of  blood  poisoning  will  occur, 
"uraemia.-'  In  cases  of  suppression  the  animal  does 
not  strain  as  it  will  do  in  retention,  the  urine  pass- 
ing away  in  drops  or  in  small  quantities  without 
any  effort  of  the  animal.  If  this  continues  for  a 
day  or  two  the  animal  will  show  symptoms  of  be- 
ing sick,  and  if  not  relieved,  will  soon  die,  either  m 
a  state  of  coma  or  convulsions. 

Treatment:  In  such  cases  find  the  cause,  if  pos- 
sible, and  remove  it.  If  this  cannot  be  done  (which 
in  the  pig  is  often  difficult)  treat  the  symptoms. 
One  of  the  first  things  is  to  give  a  physic  and  in 
this  way  rid  the  system  of  some  of  the  effete  mat- 
ter whi^h  is  sure  to  be  present  in  the  blood,  and 
nothing  is  better  for  this  purpose  than  sulphate  of 
magnesia  in  doses  of  from  one  to  two  ounces.  If 
there  is  high  fever  with  a  full  pulse  give  three  to 
five  drops  of  tincture  of  aconite  at  a  dose  every  four 
hours.  If  the  pulse  is  weak  and  the  heart  irregu- 
lar, give  from  two  to  three  drops  of  fluid  extract 
of  digitalis  and  a  teaspoonful  of  spirits  of  nitrous 


196  t)IgEASES    OF    THE    TTOCl. 

ether  in  a  little  water;  repeat  it  every  four  hours 
until  it  takes  effect  If  there  are  no  symptoms  of 
inflammation,  nitrate  of  potassium^  in  ten  to 
twenty  grains  at  a  dose,  put  into  the  drinking 
water  will  be  found  useful.  If  the  pig  is  stiff  and 
there  is  not  much  fever  give  one  dram  each  of  the 
fluid  extract  of  buchu  and  spirits  of  nitrous  ether 
at  a  dose  in  a  little  water  three  times  a  day.  The 
pig  should  have  a  good  supply  of  cold  linseed  tea  to 
drink,  also  milk,  with  a  little  lime  water  in  it 

ATROPHY  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 

Atrophy  of  the  kidneys,  one  or  both,  has  been 
found  in  the  pig.  Usually  when  one  kidney  is 
atrophied  the  other  becomes  hypertrophied  and  it 
will  perform  the  function  of  both.  Gamgee  men- 
tions a  case  in  which  one  kidney  was  absent  and 
its  fibrous  capsule  alone  remaining  distended  by  a 
yellow  fluid  of  a  strong  urinous  odor,  whereas  its 
fellow  was  very  much  enlarged  and  the  animal  was 
in  good  health. 

HYPERTROPHY  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 

This  is  a  very  common  thing  in  pigs  which  have 
been  overfed  from  an  early  period.  I  have  .exam- 
ined pigs  which  have  died  from  other  diseases  and 
found  one  or  both  kidneys  very  much  enlarged. 
I  have  also  found  such  the  case  in  hogs  that  were 
killed,  which  appeared  in  perfect  health  and  took 
on  flesh  very  rapidly.  Neither  atrophy  nor  hyper- 
trophy can  be  diagnosed;  it  is,  therefore,  when  the 
pig  has  died  from  some  other  disease  or  has  been 


DISEASES    OP    THE    HOG.  197 

killed  that  this  derangement  is  found.  Worms  in 
the  kidneys  have  been  mentioned  already  under 
the  head  of  worms. 

RUPTURE  OF  THE  KIDNEY. 

I  was  called  to  see  a  fine  sow  which  was  very 
sick.  She  had  the  following  symptoms:  The  pig 
was  lying  down  and  it  was  with  difficulty  it  got 
up,  and  when  it  did  so  it  seemed  to  be  in  pain,  the 
appetite  completely  lost,  it  would  neither  eat  nor 
drink,  the  bowels  were  regular,  it  passed  a  small 
quantity  of  urine,  which  looked  natural;  the  pulse 
was  small  and  rather  weak,  the  breathing  was 
somewhat  faster  than  normal  when  she  moved, 
but  when  she  was  lying  down  it  was  nearly  nat- 
ural. After  examining  the  animal  I  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  sow  was  a  little  off  and  that  a 
dose  of  physic  would  likely  bring  her  out  all  right, 
but  to  my  surprise  the  owner  called  to  tell  me  that 
the  sow  had  died  that  morning  and  as  I  was  gath- 
ering material  for  this  book  I  w^ent  and  made  an 
examination,  and  was  greatly  surprised  when  I 
found  all  the  other  organs  of  the  body  healthy  ex- 
cept the  left  kidney,  which  had  been  ruptured  and 
surrounded  by  a  large  quantity  of  coagulated 
blood.  In  fact,  the  animal  no  doubt  bled  to  death, 
but  strange  to  say  that  there  was  not  any  passed 
by  way  of  the  urine.  The  only  special  symptoms 
to  be  noted  in  this  case  were  the  small  weak  pulse 
and  the  pain  evinced  by  the  animal  when  it  was 
raised  up. 


198  DISEASES    OF   THE   HOG. 

CYSTITIS  (INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BLADDER). 

This  is  a  very  rare  disease  in  the  pig.  I  have 
never  seen  a  case  of  it  in  the  hog,  although  I  have 
no  doubt  but  that  there  have  been  some  from  in- 
juries, irritating  urine,  or  from  inflammation  of 
the  surrounding  organs.  The  whole  surface  may 
be  implicated,  or  it  may  only  be  a  part.  The  neck 
is  the  part  most  commonly  involved  in  the  human 
being. 

Symptoms  of  this  disease  would  be  retention  of 
urine,  the  animal  will  strain  a  good  deal  and  the 
urine  will  be  passed  in  drops  or  in  small  quanti- 
ties, and  the  animal  will  be  Very  restless,  as  it  will 
be  suffering  much  pain;  it  will  be  stiff  in  its  hind 
parts,  there  will  be  fever  and  swelling  of  the  ab- 
domen, loss  of  appetite,  but  the  pig  may  be  thirsty, 
vomiting  may  occur.  The  case  may  get  better  in  a 
few  days.  Gangrene  may  set  in,  in  which  case  the 
pain  will  cease  entirely  before  the  close.  A  case 
of  this  kind  may  assume  a  chronic  form,  and  the 
animal  may  be  long  affected  with  a  purulent  urine 
or  a  discharge  of  pus  along  with  the  urine. 

Treatment:  Hot  fomentations  would  be  useful, 
but  it  could  not  be  satisfactorily  done  with  the 
pig.  Calomel  three  grains,  opium  one  grain,  made 
into  a  pill  and  given  three  times  a  day,  and  large 
quantities  of  mucilaginous,  cold  drinks  would  be 
of  great  service  in  such  a  disease.  If  the  animal  is 
constipated,  injections  of  warm  water  should  be 
used.  If  the  urine  is  acid,  it  should  be  neutralized 
by  half  dram  doses  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  three 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  199 

or  four  times  a  da}'.  If  it  becomes  necessary  to 
have  recourse  to  the  catheter,  an  opening  will  have 
to  be  made  in  the  perineum  and  the  urethra  slit 
and  a  human  catheter  introduced  and  the  urine 
removed,  then  wash  the  wound  with  glycerine  one 
ounce,  water  one  ounce,  carbolic  acid  five  drops; 
this  is  usually  all  that  is  required,  as  the  wound 
will  heal  readily.  There  is  a  chronic  form  of  this 
disease  which  I  have  seen  a  few  cases  of.  The 
symptoms  of  this  form  of  the  complaint  are  a  con- 
stant desire  to  pass  urine,  w^hich  is  of  a  w^hitish 
color  and  somewhat  turbid,  owing  to  mucous  and 
epithelial  scales;  in  some  cases  it  is  very  irritat- 
ing, causing  the  animal  much  pain.  The  quantity 
of  mucus  is  so  great  that  it  nearly  blocks  up  the 
passageandrequires  considerable  effort  on  the  part 
of  the  pig  to  expel  it.  If  the  urine  is  collected'and 
allowed  to  stand  for  a  short  time  the  mucus  will 
separate  from  the  urine,  thus  indicating  the  nature 
of  the  disease.  In  some  cases  ulceration  takes 
place  in  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  bladder;  in 
this  case  there  will  be  some  hemorrhage,  w^hich 
will  give  the  urine  a  reddish  color.  If  the  disease 
is  allowed  to  go  on  the  animal  loses  flesh  fast,  the 
general  strength  gives  w^ay,  first  in  the  hind  legs 
and  then  in  all.  In  such  a  case  it  is  better  to  de- 
stroy the  pig. 

Treatment:  In  the  early  stages  of  the  chronic 
form  give  a  mild  physic,  such  as  one  ounce  sul- 
phate of  magnesia  or  one  or  two  ounces  castor  oil. 
Buchu  is  very  useful,  given  in  the  form  of  the  fluid 
extract  in  dram  doses  and  sometimes  combined 


200  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

with  one  or  two  drams  of  spirits  of  nitrous  ether, 
diluted  with  a  little  water.  Thirty  drops  of  turpen- 
tine given  in  some  mucilaginous  substance  three 
times  a  day  is  useful.  Arbutin,  in  ten  to  twelve 
grains  at  a  dose,  three  times  a  day,  given  in  a  des- 
sertspoonful of  glycerine  or  cod  liver  oil, is  of  great 
service  in  some  cases.  The  tincture  chloride  of 
iron  in  dram  doses  three  times  a  day  in  a  little 
syrup  is  especially  useful  on  account  of  its  action 
on  the  urinary  organs.  If  there  is  any  hemorrhage 
give  from  five  to  ten  drops  of  the  oil  of  erigerontis 
in  syrup  three  or  four  times  a  day.  Feed  the  pig 
on  boiled  flaxseed,  oatmeal  and  milk. 

VESICAL  RETENTION. 

Retention  of  urine  in  the  bladder  is  caused  by 
some  obstruction  to  the  passage  or  inability  of 
the  walls  of  the  bladder  to  contract  on  its  con- 
tents. Obstruction  may  arise  from  inflammation 
of  the  mucous  membrane  at  the  entrance  of  the 
urethra.  It  may  arise  from  spasms  of  the  neck  of 
the  bladder.  Other  causes  are  tumors,  stones,  ac- 
cumulations of  mucus  and  stricture  of  the  ure- 
thra. 

Symptoms:  The  animal  is  making  constant  in- 
effectual efforts  to  pass  urine  and  is  in  great  dis- 
tress. On  examination  of  the  back  part  of  the  ab- 
domen, just  in  front  of  the  pubis,  a  tumor  will  be 
felt,  forming  a  somewhat  round,  well-defined  tu- 
mor, and  it  is  sometimes  visible.  In  very  fat  pigs  it 
may  be  difficult  to  feel  in  this  locality;  in  such  a 
case  the  dnlness  upon  percussion  over  the  region 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG.  201 

which  it  occupies,  contrasted  with  the  resonance 
of  the  surrounding  space,  will  be  sufficient  to  diag- 
nose it  In  this  affection  the  pig  becomes  feverish 
and  restless,  until  at  length  a  portion  of  the  ure- 
thra or  bladder  gives  way  and  the  urine  escapes 
into  the  peritoneum  with  fatal  results. 

Treatment:  It  is  not  very  easy  to  find  the  cause 
in  the  pig.  Our  first  efforts  will  be  to  try  to  re- 
lieve the  bladder  of  some  of  its  contents  by  gentle 
pressure  and  the  application  of  hot  water  to  the 
back  part  of  the  abdomen  and  the  perineum.  If 
this  should  fail,  then  an  opening  must  be  made 
into  the  urethra  by  cutting  through  the  perineum 
and  a  human  catheter  passed  and  the  water  drawn 
off.  This  will  give  the  animal  relief.  Then  find  the 
cause,  if  possible.  If  from  calculi  or  coagula  in 
the  urethra,  remove  them.  If  from  inflammation 
of  the  neck,  give  a  dose  of  epsom  salts  and  bathe 
w  ith  warm  water.  When  spasms  of  the  neck  of  the 
bladder  are  the  cause  of  retention,  give  injection 
of  warm  water  with  a  little  opium  in  it,  one  dram 
of  opium  to  the  ounce  of  water;  repeat  this  every 
two  hours;  apply  chloroform  or  ether  to  the  nos- 
trils until  tlie  animal  is  slightly  under  the  influ- 
ence of  it.  If  the  retention  should  arise  from  want 
of  powder  in  the  muscular  coat,  give  stimulants  and 
tonics,  such  as  two  drops  of  fluid  extract  of  nux 
vomica  and  thirty  to  sixty  drops  of  tincture  of  iron 
at  a  dose,  in  a  little  syrup,  three  times  a  day. 
INCONTINENCE  OF  URINE.    (ENURESIS.) 

In  this  derangement  the  animal  has  lost    the 
power  of  controlling^  the  sphincter  of  the  neck  of 


202  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG, 

the  bladder,  and  the  urine  passes  away  involun- 
tarily. In  some  eases  the  bladder  may  be  inflamed 
or  greatly  irritated,  and  the  presence  of  even 
healthy  urine  could  not  be  tolerated  and  would 
be  passed  off  as  soon  as  it  reached  the  bladder. 
When  it  is  caused  from  loss  of  power  the  animal 
will  not  be  feverish  or  be  suffering  any  pain,  but 
should  it  be  caused  by  inflammation  or  irritation 
there  will  be  more  or  less  fever  and  pain. 

Treatment:  If  from  weakness  and  loss  of  power 
give  two  or  three  drops  of  fluid  extract  of  nux 
vomica  and  from  thirty  to  sixty  drops  of  tincture 
chloride  of  iron  at  a  dose  in  a  little  syrup  three 
times  a  day.  Ten  to  fifteen  drops  of  turpentine 
at  a  dose  in  oil  or  syrup  is  often  useful.  Five  drops 
tincture  of  cantharides  at  a  dose  in  a  little  water 
three  times  a  day  has  often  good  results.  If  it  is 
caused  by  inflammation  or  irritation  remove  the 
cause,  if  possible,  and  give  medicine  required  to  re- 
duce the  inflammation,  such  as  one  to  two  ounces 
epsom  salts  and  two  to  three  drops  of  fluid  extract 
of  belladonna  three  or  four  times  a  day,  or  after 
the  physic  has  operated  give  one  to  two  grains  of 
opium  and  three  to  four  grains  of  calomel  three 
times  a  day,  and  encourage  the  animal  to  drink 
flaxseed  tea,  effusion  of  slippery  elm  or  barley 
water.    Feed  on  an  oatmeal  and  milk  diet. 

URINARY  CALCULI.     (GRAVEL.) 

This  affection  is  very  seldom  met  with  in  the  pig 
on  account  of  the  great  majority  of  hogs  being  sent 
to  market  before  or  by  the  time  they  are  one  year 


DISEASES  OP  THE  HOG.  203 

old.  These  deposits  may  form  in  the  kidneys  and 
pass  along  the  ureters  to  the  bladder  and  out 
through  the  urethra  without  causing  any  great 
inconvenience,  but  should  they  stick  and  block  up 
the  tubes  they  would  cause  very  great  trouble. 
The  symptoms  would  be  irritation  and  retention 
of  urine;  small  stones  may  remain  for  a  long  time 
in  the  bladder  without  causing  any  very  great  dis- 
turbance; if  such  should  be  suspected  the  animal 
should  be  fed  for  the  market.  I  have  met  with  a 
few  cases  of  prepucial  calculi  in  the  castrated  hog, 
caused  by  the  urine  running  over  the  anterior  part 
of  the  prepuce,  leaving  a  deposit  of  lithic  acid 
gravel,  causing  irritation  and  swelling  of  the  pre- 
puce (sheath),  causing  considerable  disturbance  to 
the  animal,  such  as  loss  of  flesh  and  some  stiffness. 
The  swelling  of  the  prepuce  and  some  stiffness 
attracts  the  attention  of  the  owner  and  an  exam- 
ination of  the  parts  will  reveal  the  nature  of  the 
trouble. 

Treatment:  Cast  the  hog  on  its  side  and  remove 
all  the  deposit  with  the  fingers  or  a  pair  of  forceps. 
When  this  is  accomplished  it  will  be  found  that  the 
lining  of  the  sheath  is  red  and  sore.  After  it  has  been 
well  washed  and  dried,  mix  one  ounce  glycerine, 
one  ounce  water  and  thirty  grains  of  tannic  acid; 
a  little  of  this  should  be  applied  once  a  day  until 
the  soreness  and  swelling  have  disappeared. 
After  it  is  cleaned  out  and  dressed  the  animal  will 
be  much  relieved. 


204  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 


CHAPTER  XXIL 
WOUNDS. 

These  are  of  frequent  oecurrence  in  the  pig,  and 
if  they  are  severe  they  are  dithcult  to  heal,  as  it 
is  impossible  to  keep  the  animal  from  rubbing  the 
sore,  thus  irritating  it.  Bandages  cannot  be  ap- 
plied with  any  satisfaction,  as  the  animal  will 
tear  or  bite  them  off.  If  the  wound  is  caused  by 
a  sharp  instrument  and  is  cut  lengthwise  on  the 
muscle  it  will  be  advantageous  to  sew  it  up.  First 
clean  the  wound  of  all  foreign  substances,  such  as 
dirt,  hair,  or  pieces  of  wood.  If  there  is  much  hem- 
orrhage it  should  be  stopped  before  stitching  by 
applying  cold  water  to  it.  If  the  vessel  is  large  it 
will  require  to  be  taken  up  and  a  ligature  put  on, 
then  either  use  pins,  if  the  wound  is  small,  or  cat- 
gut or  silk  thread  if  it  is  large,  and  pour  over  it  a 
little  of  the  following  lotion:  Acetate  of  lead  half 
an  ounce,  carbolic  acid  half  an  ounce,  water  one 
quart  If  the  wound  is  ragged  and  torn  or  cut 
crosswise  on  the  muscle,  there  will  be  no  advan- 
tage from  stitching  it,  as  the  ragged  portions  have 
to  slough  and  thus  open  the  wound.  If  the  muscle 
is  cut  across,  its  fibres  will  move  every  time  that 
the  animal  moves  the  muscle,  and  thus  prevent  un- 
ion of  the  cut  surface. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    ItOQ.  205 

Treatment:  Great  care  requires  to  be  taken 
not  to  irritate  a  fresh  wound,  either  by  washing 
or  using  strong  medicines,  as  they  will  prevent  the 
healing  process  and  cause  inflammation.  Wash 
the  wound  by  allowing  tepid  water  to  run  over 
the  injured  surface  until  it  is  clean,  then  use  ace- 
tate of  lead  half  an  ounce,  carbolic  acid  half  an 
ounce,  water  one  quart;  apply  a  little  of  this  twice 
a  day.  If  the  wound  should  become  unhealthy 
mix  one  dram  chloride  of  zinc  in  half  a  pint  of 
water  and  apply  a  little  twice  a  day.  For  wounds 
which  are  superficial,  such  as  a  piece  of  skin  pulled 
off,  mix  one  ounce  oxide  of  zinc  with  two  ounces 
vaseline  and  apply  a  little  once  a  day,  or  mix  one 
ounce  vaseline,  one  ounce  water  and  three  grains 
tannic  acid  and  apply  a  little  twice  a  day  with  a 
feather.  For  proud  flesh  use  terchloride  of  anti- 
mony, and  after  it  has  been  destroyed  use  any  of 
the  above  lotions.  For  slight  wounds  in  summer 
the  application  of  a  little  tar  will  keep  the  flies 
off  and  also  dirt,  and  assist  the  healing  process. 
Such  strong  medicines  as  turpentine  should  not 
be  used  on  a  fresh  wound.  To  destroy  maggots 
mix  half  an  ounce  of  carbolic  acid  in  one  ounce 
glycerine  and  apply  with  a  feather.  Deep  or  punc- 
tured wounds  should  be  examined  with  a  probe  to 
find  the  depth  and  direction,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  feel  if  there  is  any  foreign  body  in  them.  Punc- 
tured wounds  are  the  most  dangerous  of  all  to 
prevent  inflammation  and  mortification.  I  have 
known  cases  of  this  kind  to  cause  death,  which  a 
little  liniment  would  have  prevented 


200  DISEASES   OF   THE   HOa. 

Treatment  of  Punctured  Wounds:  Mix  carbolic 
acid  two  drams,  water  six  ounces,  dip  a  strip  of 
soft  muslin  and  press  it  into  the  w^ound  with  a 
probe,  then  draw  it  out  and  put  in  a  fresh  one; 
let  this  stop  in  for  a  ^ew  hours,  then  draw  it  out 
and  put  in  a  fresh  one;  do  this  at  least  three  times 
a  day  until  matter  forms,  then  all  danger  is  past. 
The  reason  I  use  the  strip  of  muslin  dipped  in  this 
strong  carbolic  solution  is  so  that  it  will  be  sure 
to  reach  the  bottom  of  the  wound,  acting  as  a  dis- 
infectant, preventing  inflammation  and  blood  poi- 
soning. When  matter  forms,  clean  it  out  with  a 
syringe  and  inject  a  little  of  the  above  lotion  once 
a  day. 

INJURIES. 

Broken  bone  in  the  pig  will  heal  as  fast  as  in 
any  other  animal,  but  it  is  impossible  to  confine 
the  animal  for  treatment.  In  case  of  simple  frac- 
ture it  will  usually  get  well  itself,  but  where  the 
bone  is  splintered  and  the  flesh  lacerated,  it  is  best 
to  destroy  the  animal.  The  injury  sometimes  only 
bruises  the  flesh,  and  it  will  right  itself.  In  other 
cases  there  will  be  effusion  of  serum  under  the 
skin,  causing  a  considerable  soft,  puffy  swelling. 
This  will  have  to  be  opened  and  the  fluid  pressed 
out  and  a  little  of  the  chloride  of  zinc  lotion  in- 
jected once  a  day  for  a  few  days.  If  this  is  not  done 
the  sack  will  fill  up  again. 

The  part  may  be  bruised  to  such  an  extent  that 
an  abscess  may  form ;  if  so,  as  soon  as  it  becomc^s 
soft  open  it  in  the  most  prominent  part,  and  after 


DISEASES   OF   THE   HOG.  207 

the  pus  has  escaped  wash  it  out  with  warm  water 
and  inject  a  little  of  the  following  twice  a  da}^: 
Acetate  of  lead  half  an  ounce,  carbolic  acid  two 
drams,  water  one  pint 

Ulc'ers  and  fungous  growths  are  found  on  the 
body  of  the  pig.  The  ulcers  sh'ould  be  treated  by 
applying  nitrate  of  silver  to  them  to  destroy  the 
unhealthy  surface,  then  use  any  of  the  healing 
lotions  mentioned  for  wounds.  Fungous  growths 
appear  about  the  legs  and  abdomen  and  at  times 
on  other  parts  of  the  body.  They  are  usually  very 
foul  smelling  and  red  or  of  a  dark  color,  usually 
covered  with  a  dark  colored  scab.  They  bleed  very 
easily  and  therefore  sometimes  receive  the  name 
of  "bleeding  fungus.'' 

Treatment:  If  there  is  any  neck  to  the  fungus 
tie  a  small  cord  tight  around  it,  and  if  it  does  not 
slough  off  in  a  week  tie  on  another;  when  it  does 
slough  off,  apply  a  little  terchloride  of  antimony 
to  it  to  destroy  the  roots,  then  apply  a  little  of  the 
following:  Oxide  of  zinc  one  ounce,  vaseline  two 
ounces.  If  a  cord  cannot  be  tied  on  scrape  off  the 
scab  and  apply  a  little  terchloride  of  antimony  to 
it  every  second  day  until  it  is  lower  than  the  sur- 
rounding parts,  then  use  a  little  of  the  oxide  of 
zinc  ointment.  All  unhealthy  sores  should  be 
dressed  once  or  twice  with  the  antimony.  This 
will  bring  a  healthy  action  to  the  part 


208  £>ISEASES   OF   tHE   HOd. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS. 

The  pig  is  not  subject  to  diseases  of  these  organs 
for  the  same  reasons  that  have  been  mentioned 
before,  that  they  are  brought  to  maturity  and 
the  greater  number  of  them  sold  by  the  time  they 
are  two  years  old  or  less. 

Difficult  Parturition. — This  is  sometimes  met 
with  in  the  sow,  and  on  account  of  the  passage  be- 
ing too  small  to  admit  the  hand,  in  the  majority  of 
sows,  it  is  sometimes  with  great  difficulty  that  we 
can  relieve  them.  If  a  sow  has  been  straining  for 
some  time  and  making  no  progress,  it  will  be  nec- 
essary to  examine  it  to  find  the  cause.  Causes :  The 
parts  may  not  be  properly  dilated,  or  the  passage 
may  be  too  small  to  allow  the  foetus  to  pass,  or 
the  parts  may  not  be  strong  enough  to  expel  the 
foetus.  In  other  cases  several  may  be  expelled  and 
one  or  more  seem  to  block  up  the  passage.  Every 
farmer  and  stock  breeder  should  have  a  pair  of 
parturition  forceps  for  the  pig.  They  can  be  ob- 
tained from  Frank  Wagner  &  Co.,  manufacturers 
of  revolving  and  obstetrical  instruments,  Mans- 
field, Ohio.  These  instruments  are  the  best  in  the 
market  at  the  present  time. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 


209 


Figure  3.  Insert  and  then  open  a  little,  any  of  our  string 
instruments  and  you  have  a  repeller  that  will  never  slip  nor 
will  it  mutilate  as  do  the  metal  repellers  now  in  use. 


Forceps  No.  3  and  4,  length  about  20  inches.  These  for- 
ceps are  designed  for  pigs  and  lambs,  in  many  places  where 
malposition  has  taken  place,  both  numbers  are  needed,  but  no 
case  has  ever  been  found  so  difficult  that  these  forceps  would 
not  effect  speedy  deliverance.  They  are  entirely  and  easily 
handled  from  the  outside. 


210  DISEASES   OF  THE  HOG. 

The  forceps  are  useful  for  two  purposes:  To 
dilate  the  parts  by  sineariug  it  with  fluid  extract 
of  belladonna,  then  introducing  it  into  the  passage, 
and  by  opening  and  closing  the  forceps,  and  the 
belladonna  acting  on  the  parts,  dilation  sometimes 
takes  place  rapidly.  When  this  is  accomplished 
there  will  be  no  further  trouble.  If  it  is  caused  by 
the  foetus  being  too  large,  warm  the  forceps  and 
rub  on  a  little  lard,  and  introduce  them  and  get  a 
hold  of  the  foetus,  and  by  gentle  traction  you  will 
be  Jable  to  remove  it.  1  have  removed  a  number  in 
this  way  and  they  lived  to  grow  into  fine  pigs.  The 
foetus  of  the  pig  is  not  like  the  larger  animals; 
their  legs  are  not  much  hindrance.  If  it  is  caused 
from  want  of  strength  of  the  walls  of  the  uterus  to 
expel  its  contents,  give  the  sow  from  one  to  two 
drams  of  the  fluid  extract  ergot  of  rye  in  a  little 
water  every  half  hour  until  you  have  the  desired 
result  In  cases  where  the  forceps  have  been  used 
it  is  always  safe  to  wash  out  the  parts  with  tincture 
of  opium  one  drachm,  carbolic  acid  thirty  drops, 
water  one  pint  Inject  warm  water  first  to  clean  it 
out,  then  inject  the  lotion.  This  will  act  as  a  sooth- 
ing antiseptic  and  will  greatly  soothe  the  irritated 
parts.  If  there  should  be  any  laceration  of  the 
parts  they  should  be  dressed  with  a  little  of  the 
above  lotion  once  or  twice  a  day. 

INVERSION  OF  THE  UTERU5. 

This  sometimes  takes  place  in  the  sow,  and  when 
it  does  the  parts  should  be  well  washed  and  all 
particles  of  dirt  removed,  then  bathe  it  for  ten 


PISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 


211 


Plate  No.  4. 

This  diagram  shows  the  manner  of  inserting  our  blade 
forceps  No.  3.  All  other  forceps  must  be  inserted  open  with 
one  blade  at  each  side  of  the  head  of  the  young,  a  thing  often 
very  difficult  if  not  impossible  when  the  head  is  wedged  in  the 
pelvis.  There  is,  however,  always  room  at  the  top  of  the 
head,  where  our  long,  neat  and  perfectly  shaped  blades  may 
be  easily  inserted.  The  blades  are  then  revolved  to  the  sides 
of  the  head,  when  owing  to  the  joint,  each  blade  adjusts 
itself  flatly  on  the  head,  allowing  the  severest  pull  without 
injury  to  the  young. 


212  DISEASES  OF  THE  HOG. 

minutes  with  acetate  of  lead  two  drams,  tincture 
of  opium  two  drams,  water  one  pint  Then  take  a 
piece  of  soft  muslin  and  fold  it  into  seve4*al  thick- 
nesses and  put  it  over  the  ends  of  your  four  fingers, 
which  should  be  made  into  the  form  of  a  cone,  and 
by  gentle  pressure  on  its  center  it  can  be  pressed 
into  its  place.  Remember  it  is  inverted  and  the  pres- 
sure must  be  on  its  center  so  that  it  will  turn  in. 
After  thi^  has  been  accomplished  take  a  strong  pin 
and  pass  it  through  from  side  to  side  of  the  passage, 
then  tie  a  piece  of  string  in  the  form  of  the  figure 
eight;  that  will  keep  the  part  closed  and  prevent 
the  uterus  from  being  pressed  out  again.  The  pin 
is  to  be  left  in  for  a  few  days,  when  it  can  be  drawn 
out,  leaving  no  sore.  If  the  sow  is  very  restless  she 
should  be  given  a  dose  or  tAvo  of  opium,  two  grains 
at  a  dose.  Feed  her  on  oatmeal  and  milk  food  for 
a  few  days.  If  the  sow  does  not  do  well  after  such 
cases,  give  her  twenty  drops  tincture  chloride  of 
iron,  and  a  teaspoonful  each  of  tincture  of  ginger 
and  gentian  at  a  dose,  in  a  little  syrup  two  or  three 
times  a  day  for  a  week. 

MAMMITIS.     (INFLAnriATION  OF  THE  UDDER.) 

This  is  not  a  common  disease  in  the  sow,  but  it 
does  take  place  at  times. 

Causes:  Injuries  to  the  udder;  'also,  the  over- 
accumulation  of  milk,  and  chills. 

Symptoms:  The  udder  is  swollen  and  hard.  If 
the  skin  is  white  it  will  be  red  and  very  tender  to 
the  touch.    When  this  takes  place  in  the  sow  it  is 


DISEASES    OF   THE   HOG. 


213 


Plate  No.  5. 


Shows  the  manner  of  adjusting  our  invaluable  string  car- 
rying forceps  No.  4.  In  numerous  cases  the  pig  is  found  set- 
tled so  low  behind  the  pelvis  that  old  hinge  forceps  will  not 
touch  it.  In  such  cases  this  is  the  only  instrument  that  will 
reach  the  pig,  and  this  only  in  the  following  way :  One  arm 
is  held  stationary  while  the  other  long  and  properly  curved 
arm  is  run  far  back  and  down  until  it  can  be  brought  under 
the  pig,  drawing  the  cord  around  in  a  loop,  when  the  pig  can 
be  raised. 


214  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

usually  sick,  with  considerable  fever,  loss  of  appe- 
tite and  constipated  bowels. 

Treatment:  Draw  off  as  much  milk  as  possible, 
although  this  is  no  very  easy  matter  in  the  sow; 
the  inflammation  causes  the  milk  to  coagulate  and 
it  separates  into  curd  and  whey.  If  she  has  young 
pigs  allow  them  to  suck;  if  not,  draw  off  as  much 
as  possible  with  the  fingers.  Foment  the  parts  well 
with  hot  water,  then  use  acetate  of  lead  half  an 
ounce,  tincture  of  arnica  two  ounces,  water  one 
quart.  Bathe  three  times  dail^'^  with  hot  water  and 
apply  the  lotion  after  each  bathing.  Give  from  one 
to  two  ounces  of  epsom  salts;  follow  this  by  giving 
ten  grains  of  nitrate  of  potassium  in  a  little  water 
three  times  a  day.  If  matter  should  form,  which 
is  known  by  the  part  becoming  soft  and  pitting 
with  the  fingers,  either  open  it  with  the  knife  or  let 
it  break  of  its  own  accord.  When  it  breaks  inject 
water  into  it  to  clean  it  out,  then  inject  carbolic  acid 
one  dram,  water  half  a  pint.  Clean  the  parts  out 
twice  a  day  with  a  little  of  this.  If  the  parts  be- 
come hard  or  caked,  rub  on  iodine  one  dram,  vase- 
line one  ounce.  Do  this  twice  a  week  until  the  part 
becomes  soft  or  the  hardness  disappears;  also  give 
from  eight  to  ten  grains  of  iodide  of  potassium  in 
a  little  water  twice  a  day  for  a  week.  If  any  of  it 
should  become  mortified,  which  can  be  easily  seen 
by  its  bluish  or  black  appearance,  it  will  have  to 
be  removed  with  the  knife  and  the  part  dressed 
with  a  little  peroxide  of  hydrogen,  one  part  to  four 
of  soft  water,  twfce  a  day;  also,  give  twenty  to 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 


215 


^m^^^^pf^^f^^^m"^^^ 


Plate  No.  6. 

This  cut  shows  how  our  No.  4  can  be  used  in  common 
cases  where  the  head  is  up,  in  place  of  the  blade  forceps,  No.  3. 


216  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

thirty  drops  of  tincture  chloride  of  iron  in  a  spoon- 
ful of  syrup  three  times  a  day. 

SORE  TEATS. 

Occasionally  the  teats  of  the  sow  become  in- 
flamed and  are  red,  swollen  and  sore,  and  she  does 
not  want  the  young  ones  to  touch  her.  This  usual- 
ly makes  matters  worse,  as  the  udder  at  the  base  of 
the  teats  becomes  involved  on  account  of  the  ac- 
cumulation of  milk.  This  trouble  is  caused  by  the 
teats  coming  in  contact  with  dirt  mixed  with  urine, 
which  irritates  the  skin,  causing^it  to  crack  and 
inflame.  Mud  and  water  are  not  likely  to  do  this. 
It  is  also  caused  by  the  sow  traveling  through 
poisonous  weeds  when  they  are  wet  witli  dew  or 
rain.  To  avoid  this  trouble  keep  the  sty  of  the 
sow  clean,  and  if  possible,  have  all  obnoxious  weeds 
removed  from  the  pasture  where  nursing  sows  are 
kept. 

Treatment:  Bathe  the  parts  well  three  times  a 
day  with  acetate  of  lead  half  an  ounce,  water  one 
quart,  then  rub  over  the  aifected  parts  after  bath- 
ing, glycerine  two  ounces,  tannic  acid  twenty 
grains,  water  four  ounces;  shake  up  well  before 
using.  If  the  animal  is  feverish,  give  her  one  to 
two  ounces  epsom  salts,  dissolved  in  half  a  pint  of 
water;  also  give  ten  grains  of  nitrate  of  potassium 
in  the  food  or  drinking  water  two  or  three  times  a 
day.  This  derangement  is  sometimes  caused  by 
the  young  pigs  having  sore  mouths.  If  such  is  the 
case,  sponge  the  mouth  three  times  a  day  with  a 
lotion  made  by  putting  a  teaspoonful  of  boric  acid 
in  a  teacupf ul  of  soft  water. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 


217 


mmmmmfammpiffBmc^ 


iiiiL     14  WWwaWfWWBgWWWipiywpii 


-11111  111  II ■IbB imawiiiwiiiiiiMiili    I  iiTiriiii    1  1  il    1    iiliii 


Plate  No.  7. 


The  above  cut  shows  how  to  manage  very  difficult  cases, 
in  which  the  pig  is  so  large  that  no  other  instruments,  and 
perhaps  neither  one  of  our  own,  will  give  deliverance.  In 
such  cases  we  have  never  failed  when  using  both  forceps,  the 
string  carrier  to  draw  and  the  blades  to  work  and  lessen  the 
head. 


218  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG, 

ORCHITIS  (INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  TESTICLES). 

This  disease  is  caused  by  injuries  to  the  part, 
such  as  blows,  bites  from  other  pigs,  wounds  pene- 
trating the  testicle.  It  is  also  caused  by  feeding 
too  much  stimulating  food  in  hot  weather,  or  medi- 
cines that  stimulate  the  generative  system,  such  as 
cantharides,  rue,  tansy,  demeana. 

Symptoms:  Swelling  of  the  part,  which  is  hot 
and  tender  to  the  touch,  the  swelling  often  extend- 
ing down  the  legs;  the  animal  suffers  pain  when 
made  to  move.  This  disease  can  be  easily  distin- 
guished from  hydrocele  (water  in  the  pouch)  by  the 
sw^elling  being  hard  and  hot  and  very  tender,  while 
in  hydrocele  it  is  soft  and  will  fluctuate  under  the 
fingers  and  is  not  painful  to  the  touch. 

Treatment:  Give  the  pig  two  ounces  epsom 
salts;  follow  this  by  giving  ten  grains  of  nitrate  of 
potassium  three  times  a  day  in  a  little  water.  If 
the  appetite  is  good,  put  it  in  its  food.  Bathe  the 
part  three  or  four  times  daily  with  hot  water 
and  after  each  bathing  use  a  little  of  the  following: 
Acetate  of  lead  half  an  ounce,  tincture  of  arnica 
two  ounces,  water  one  quart  If  matter  should 
form,  which  can  be  known  by  the  part  becoming- 
soft  and  pitting  with  the  finger,  then  open  it  with 
the  knife,  squeeze  out  the  matter  and  wash  it  out 
with  water,  then  inject  a  little  of  the  following: 
Peroxide  of  hydrogen  one  ounce,  water  four 
ounces.  Do  this  twice  a  day  to  heal  it.  If  it  will 
not  heal  it  will  be  necessary  to  castrate  the  ani- 
mal. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  219 

HYDROCELE  (WATER  IN  THE  SCROTUM.) 

This  derangement  is  sometimes  the  result  of 
inflammation  of  the  scrotum  or  by  the  walls  of  the 
scrotum  being  bruised. 

S^^mptoms:  The  scrotum  is  swollen  and  will 
fluctuate  under  the  fingers,  and  the  testicles  can 
be  felt  floating  in  the  water. 

Treatment:  If  it  is  not  interfering  with  the  ani- 
mal's health  and  not  increasing  in  size  it  will  be 
better  left  alone.  Astringent  medicines  may  be 
tried,  such  as  tannic  acid,  twenty  grains  to  the 
ounce  of  water.  The  proper  treatment  is  to  draw 
off  the  fluid  with  a  hypodermic  syringe,  the  nozzle 
of  which  is  passed  through  a  solution  of  carbolic 
acid.  But  this  should  be  done  only  by  a  veteri- 
narian. 

STERILITY. 

This  derangement  happens  more  commonly  in 
the  w^ell  bred  animal,  especially  in  those  that  are 
"forced''  by  overstim  ulating  food.  The  animal  gets 
into  such  a  plethoric  state  that  it  sometimes  blocks 
up  the  fine  tubes  connected  with  the  organs  of  gen- 
eration. There  are  several  other  distinct  causes: 
Disordered  ovaries,  obstructions  to  the  fallopian 
tubes,  a  morbid  condition  of  the  uterus,  hardening 
of  the  neck  of  the  uterus.  In  the  pig,  on  account  of 
not  being  able  to  make  an  examination  by  tlie 
hand,  it  is  very  dififlcult  to  find  the  cause,  and  if  we 
did  it  would  likely  be  impossible  to  remove  it. 
Sows  should  be  kept  in  good  growing  condition, 
but  avoid  having  them  overfat.  If  the  animal  takes 


220  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

on  fat  very  easily  and  will  not  breed  give  her  two 
ounces  epsom  salts  dissolved  in  half  a  pint  of  cold 
water  at  one  dose;  follow  this  by  giving  ten  grains 
of  iodide  of  potassium  twice  a  day  in  her  food  for 
two  weeks.  By  this  treatment  we  may  succeed  in 
absorbing  materials  which  have  blocked  up  some 
of  the  tubes.  If  the  animal  is  weak  and  in  poor 
condition  give  good  food  and  twenty  to  forty  drops 
of  the  tincture  chloride  of  iron  twice  a  day  in  the 
food. 


DISEASES    OF   THE   HOG.  221 


CHAPTER  XXIV.  ^ 

HOG  CHOLERA  AND  SWINE  PLAGUE. 

Hog  cholera  and  swine  plagne  are  both  very  fatal 
diseases,  destroying  great  numbers  of  hogs  yearly, 
especially  in  the  corn-growing  States.  It  attacks 
pigs  at  all  ages,  but  slioats  seem  to  be  more  liable 
to  it  than  older  ones;  the  older  ones  have  more" 
power  of  resisting  the  virus  than  the  younger  ones. 
There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  disease  is  the  result 
of  a  bacteria,  but  why  this  bacteria  should  make  its 
appearance  is  not  easily  understood.  In  the  sev- 
eral outbreaks  which  I  have  studied  it  has  acted 
very  peculiarly;  as  an  illustration — it  first  made 
its  appearance  on  the  farm  of  a  Mr.  A.,  destroying 
nearly  all  his  hogs,  young  and  old;  Mr.  A.'s  pigs 
were  fine  bred  and  well  kept  in  the  way  of  cleanli- 
ness, pure  water,  good  pasture,  food,  principally 
corn  in  the  ear;  the  pigs  were  all  fat.  Their  neigh- 
bors on  all  sides  had  herds  of  hogs,  some  well  bred, 
others  not;  some  w^ere  allowed  to  wallow  in  stag- 
nant pools,  others  kept  clean;  none  of  these  took 
the  disease.  Messrs.  B.,  C.  and  D.,  living  some  three 
miles  distant,  lost  very  heavily  from  this  disease. 
I  have  known  cases  where  a  man  kept  only  two  or 
three  hogs  on  his  place  and  the  disease  would  carry 


222  DISEASES    Ot^    THE    HOd. 

them  all  off.    It  is  generally  admitted  that  large 
herds  of  animals  kept  together  are  more  liable  to 
disease  than  when  only  a  few  are  kept  in  the  same 
place,  and  I  think  there  is  some  trnth  in  it,  but  it 
does  not  hold  good  in  hog  cholera,  as  it  will  make 
its  appearance  in  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  hogs 
(the  "land  pike''  excepted).    The  reason,  no  doubt, 
why  it  does  not  usually  kill  all  in  a  herd  is  that 
some  have  more  resisting  powder  or  that  they  in 
some  way  become  immune  to  the  action  of  the  bac- 
teria.    Swine  plague  is  just  as  fatal  a  disease  as 
hog  cholera  and  both  may  be  present  in  the  same 
outbreak.    The  symptoms  of  the  disease  are  nearly 
the  same  and  it  is  only  by  the  use  of  the  microscope 
that  the  difference  can  be  ascertained  (figs.  18  and 
19);  but  it  is  of  little  importance  to  the  swine  grow- 
er whether  it  is  hog  cholera  or  swine  plague,  as  the 
management  of  both  diseases  are  alike.   It  is  said 
that  hogs  which  have  resisted  an  attack  are  im- 
mune from  future  attacks;  this  may  be  so  in  some 
cases,  but  not  in  all,  as  I  have  known  hogs  in  a 
herd  of  swine  attacked  with  hog  cholera,  a  few  of 
which  escaped  but  were  attacked  the  following, 
year  and  died.    Another  peculiarity  of  hog  cholera 
and  swine  plague  is  that  some  years  it  is  niucli 
more  virulent  than  others,  sometimes  destroying 
ninety  to  one  hundred  per  cent;  at  others  it  may 
not  amount  to  more  than  twenty  to  thirty  per  cent. 
The  first  of  the  outbreak  is  alv/ays  the  most  se- 
vere; towards  the  end  the  majority  attacked  re- 
cover. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  223 

Symptoms:  The  sudden  death  of  one  or  more 
hogs  calls  the  attention  of  the  swine  grower  to  the 
fact  that  something  serious  is  the  matter  with  his 
pigs  (alhough  other  diseases  may  have  caused 
this).  In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease  the  pig  is 
noticed  to  be  dull,  will  neither  seek  food  nor  water; 
it  likes  to  hide  itself,  lies  down  most  of  the  time, 
its  head  is  low  and  the  ears  will  be  lopped;  often 
the  signs  of  pain  will  be  well  marked  by  the  con- 
stant movements  of  some  parts  of  its  body,  or  the 
first  symptoms  may  be  cough  with  a  little  dis- 
charge from  the  eyes  and  nose,  the  exudation  from 
the  lids  of  the  ej^es  is  of  a  gummy  nature,  w^hich 
sometimes  glues  the  edges  of  the  lids  togther  so 
firmly  that  the  animal  cannot  open  them;  at  this 
stage  of  the  disease  the  appetite  may  not  be  in  the 
least  impaired.  I  have  made  post  mortem  exami- 
nations in  .this  form  of  the  disease  and,  notwith- 
standing the  animal  having  a  good  appetite,  I  have 
found  well  marked  ulcer  tufts  in  the  large  intes- 
tine. It  lies  mostly  on  its  breast  and  abdomen  and 
may  remain  in  the  position  for  hours  if  not  dis- 
turbed. In  some  cases  there  will  be  violent  vomit- 
ing and  the  brain  becomes  affected  and  the  animal 
may  become  frantic,  or  it  may  lie  in  an  unconscious 
state  until  it  dies.  In  the  early  stages  of  the  dis- 
ease the  feces  are  normal,  but  very  soon  a  very 
foetid,  black  or  dark  diarrhea  sets  in.  The  pulse 
rises  to  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  per  minute,  and  the  heart  beats  are  barely 
perceptible.  There  is  a  peculiar  spasmodic  breath- 
ing in  all  cases  where  the  lungs  become  congested. 


224  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

There  is  a  marked  weakness  of  the  hind  legs;  the 
animal  staggers,  its  legs  crossing  each  other,  but 
differs  from  paralysis  in  its  being  able  to  move 
them  until  the  last.  Some  time  before  death  there 
are  patches  on  the  skin  of  a  bluish  or  purplish 
color,  especially  on  the  inside  of  hind  legs.  If 
these  patches  are  pressed  they  will  become  pale, 
which  does  not  occur  in  other  diseases  where  the 
skin  becomes  discolored,  such  as  in  erysipelas. 
The  temperature  of  the  body  is  at  first  increased, 
but  soon  falls  below  normal,  and  I  have  seen  in  a 
few  cases,  dark  blood  oozing  through  the  skin.  In 
a  number  of  cases  the  animal  dies  in  from  three  to 
six  hours,  others  live  for  several  days.  Although 
an  animal  may  die  in  from  three  to  six  hours  from 
the  time  it  is  first  noticed  to  be  sick,  there  is  no 
doubt  but  what  the  animal  has  been  ailing  more  or 
less  for  several  days  before  it  is  actually  taken 
down  sick.  I  have  made  post-mortem  examinations 
of  pigs,  which,  to  all  appearance,  seemed  well;  but 
on  opening  them,  all  the  characteristics  of  the  dis- 
ease were  present  in  an  undeveloped  form.  It  is 
ncessary  to  make  a  post-mortem  of  the  first  hog 
that  dies  to  enable  us  to  form  a  correct  opinion  as 
to  the  nature  of  the  disease. 

Post-mortem  appearance :  On  removing  the  skin 
there  is  usually  found  an  accumulation  of  serum 
often  mixed  with  blood,  causing  red  or  black  spots; 
this  is  the  result  of  the  plugging  and  rupture  of 
small  blood  vessels.  I  have  seen  some  cases  which 
resembled  that  which  is  produced  when  a  hog  has 
been  roughly  handled  on  being  shipped.    In  most 


DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG.  225 

cases  of  hog  cholera  all  the  organs  of  the  body  are 
more  or  less  red  spotted,  caused  by  hemorrhage  of 
a  greater  or  less  extent.  The  extravasation  of  blood 
is  found  most  abundant  in  the  lymphatic  glands 
and  the  serous  membrane  of  the  chest  and  abdo- 
men. The  cases  vary  very  much,  sometimes  the  in- 
testines, both  outside  and  inside,  the  surface  of  the 
lungs,  liver,  heart  and  kidneys  will  be  covered  with 
an  exudation  of  blood.  On  the  internal  surface  of 
the  large  intestines  in  nearly  all  cases  of  hog  chol- 
era and  swine  plague  there  will  be  found  a  num- 
ber of  tufts  which  receive  the  name  of  ulcers;  they 
are  elevations  of  a  dirty  gray  or  sometimes  a  yel- 
lowish gray;  they  are  more  or  less  hard  or  tough 
when  cut  with  the  knife;  their  surface  is  tufty, 
somewhat  like  the  top  of  a  wart  on  the  human 
hand  after  it  has  been  soaked  in  water  for  a  while; 
this  surface  is  covered  with  a  yellowish  substance, 
which  is  easily  removed  by  scraping  off  with  a 
knife.  These  growths  extend  in  some  cases  through 
the  intestine.  In  most  cases  the  lining  of  the  in- 
testine and  its  walls  are  black  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
growths.  These  tufts  may  be  single  or  a  number 
of  them  may  be  attached  to  each  other,  covering 
a  surface  of  from  one  to  three  inches  in  length; 
they  are  usually  found  in  the  cecum,  upper  half  ot 
the  colon  and  on  the  ileo-cecal  valve.  Very  often 
the  small  intestine  is  found  more  or  less  inflamed 
and  the  glands  enlarged;  in  some  cases  the  spleen 
is  enlarged;  the  lungs  are  usually  more  or  less  im- 
plicated, especially  is  this  the  case  in  swine  plague. 
I  have  found  some  cases  of  swine  plague  in  which 


226  DISEASES    OF    THE    HOG. 

there  was  pleurisy  with  hydrothorax  to  a  consider- 
able extent,  also  considerable  effusion  of  fluid  in 
the  abdominal  cavity.  There  are  often  indications 
of  heart  derangement,  such  as  effusions  of  fluid  and 
blood  clots,  and  in  chronic  cases  enlargement  of 
the  walls  of  the  heart.  In  swine  plague  the  liver 
is  often  found  in  a  very  deranged  condition,  of  a 
bluish  gray  color,  soft  and  falling  to  pieces  when 
handled,  especially  in  chronic  cases.  Hog  cholera 
has  usually  more  intestinal  lesions,  and  swine 
plague  more  lung  and  liver  affections.  The  hog 
cholera  germs  are  very  vigorous  and  more  hardy 
than  those  of  swine  plague.  They  are  capable  of 
multiplying  and  living  for  a  long  time  in  water, 
ponds  and  streams;  they  may  live  in  the  earth  and 
rubbish  for  three  months  or  more.  Swine  plague 
germs,  on  the  other  hand,  are  much  more  delicate 
and  easily  destroyed.  In  order  that  they  will  mul- 
tiply and  grow  the  temperature  must  be  more  con- 
stant and  the  surrounding  media  more  favorable 
than  is  required  for  the  germs  of  hog  cholera.  It 
is  said  that  the  swine  plague  germs  are  widely  dis- 
tributed in  nature  and  probably  present  in  all 
herds  of  swine,  but  they  are  not  deadly  to  these  ani- 
mals except  when  their  virulence  has  been  in- 
creased or  the  resistance  of  the  animals  dimin- 
ished by  some  unusual  conditions.  The  hog  chol- 
era germs,  on  the  contrary,  are  not  usually  present 
and  must  be  introduced  from  infected  herds  before 
the  disease  can  be  developed.  This  may  or  may  not 
be  true,  as  it  is  impossible  to  find  out  the  cause  of 
the  beginning  or  end  of  a  contagious  disease.    If  ic 


dis£:ases  of  tiie  hog.  227 

were  possible,  in  all  likelihood,  we  would  have  the 
]:ey  to  prevent  the  outbreaks  of  the  disease,  which 
we  certainly  have  not  at  the  present  time.     Hog- 


Figure  18.    Hog  Cholera. 

Photograph  by  Dr.  T.  J.    Burrill,   with  Zeiss  apochromatic 
2  mm.  objective  and  number  8  ocular ;  XIOOO. 

cholera  germs  are  slightly  larger  and  more  elon- 
gated than  those  of  swine  plague;  they  are  pro- 
vided with  flagella  or  long  thread-like  appendages, 
which  enable  them  to  move  rapidly  in  liquids; 
while  the  swine  plague  germs  (Fig.  19)  have  no 
such  organs  and  are  unable  to  move  except  as  they 
are  carried  by  the  liquid  in  which  they  float. 


^28  DISEASES    OF   THE   KOG. 

Sanitary  Measures:  When  hog  cholera  breaks 
out  in  a  neighborhood  it  will  be  wise  not  to  fre- 
quent the  place  in  case  of  carrying  the  disease,  but 
to  scatter  new  lime  over  the  parts  where  your  hogs 
frequent  most  and  to  sprinkle  their  sleeping  places 
with  a  solution  of  crude  carbolic  acid,  strength  one 


Figure  19.    Swine  Plague. 

Photograph  by  Dr.  T.  J.   Burrill,   with  Zeiss  apochromatic 
2min.  objective  and  number  8  ocular ;  X800. 

ounce  to  the  quart  of  water.  Care  should  be  taken 
in  the  purchase  of  hogs  to  see  that  they  have  good, 
healthy  constitutions  and  that  hog  cholera  has  not 
prevailed  for  some  time  in  the  neighborhood  where 
the  pigs  were  raised.  I  think  the  best  prevention 
is  to  have  strong,  healthy  hogs.  Kead  the  intro- 
duction to  be  found  on  the  first  page  of  this  book. 
All  pigs  which  die  of  cholera  or  swine  plague 


Diseases  of  the  h6(^.  ^29 

should  be  buried  deep  and  the  body  covered  with 
slacked  lime  before  being  covered  with  the  earth, 
and  the  part  where  the  sick  animal  was  before  and 
where  it  died  sprinkled  with  the  carbolic  lotion 
above  mentioned.  When  the  disease  is  in  the 
neighborhood  and  before  it  makes  its  appearance 
or  after  it  has  done  so,  each  pig  should  have  ten 
drops  of  strong  nitro-hydrochloric  acid  in  its  food 
twice  a  day  for  a  week.  It  is  wise  when  the  dis- 
ease breaks  out  on  the  farm  to  separate  all  the  well 
ones  some  distance  from  the  affected  ones  and  put 
them  under  the  acid  treatment.  I  have  seen  ex- 
cellent results  from  this. 

Treatment :  A  great  many  hogs  can  be  cured  of 
this  disease  if  only  properly  treated,  and  there  is 
no  doubt  that  in  many  cases  it  would  not  pay  t^ 
undertake  it ;  but  when  a  man  has  a  few  or  a  num- 
ber of  valuable  hogs  it  would  pay  to  have  them 
treated.  The  pigs  should  be  put  into  a  comfortable 
well  ventilated  place  free  from  draughts,  and  in 
the  early  stage  each  should  get  two  ounces  of  cas- 
tor oil;  this  should  be  followed  by  giving  ten  drops 
of  nitro-hydrochloric  acid  well  diluted  with  water 
three  times  a  day;  also  give  half  an  ounce  of  spirits 
of  turpentine  in  a  little  sweet  oil  once  a  day;  con- 
tinue this  for  three  or  four  days,  then  give  four 
grains  of  quinine  dissolved  in  two  tablespoonfuls 
of  good  whisky,  with  the  same  quantity  of  cold 
water  at  a  dose,  three  times  a  day  for  four  or  five 
days  if  necessary.  This  treatment  I  followed  up 
last  year  with  excellent  results.  Some  very  valu- 
able sows,  which  were  not  able  to  rise,  recovered 


230  "diseases  op  the  Hoa. 

by  the  use  of  the  quinine  and  whisky.  As  soon  as 
the  animal  is  able  to  eat  feed  on  milk  and  eggs, 
boiled  flaxseed,  oatmeal,  etc.  The  nitro-hydro- 
chloric  acid  is  one  of  the  best  blood  purifiers  that 
we  possess;  the  turpentine  acts  as  a  local  disin- 
fectant and  stimulant  as  well  as  a  healer  to  the  in- 
testine; the  quinine  and  whisky  are  tonic  and  stim- 
ulant, and  may  in  some  way  stop  the  development 
of  the  bacteria.  To  be  successful  it  must  be  well 
done. 


^^^V£(;s/Ty 


'"utiVfiksiTY   OF    CALIFORNIA 
LIBRARY 


This  is  the  date  on  which  this 
book  was  charged  out. 


^«*- 

-*-> 


«* 


j#r;s>.AV-;,;  4 


/a^x-w 


S7:S7' 


SHAKf 


$Mi^*k'^ 


?1 


